Neuro News Roundup: Potential MS Therapies

September 30, 2016

Conferences | ECTRIMS

Three new multiple sclerosis studies show the promise of two drugs, amiselimod and alemtuzumab, as treatments and one, arbaclofen, for spasticity.

Amiselimod, a second generation spin-off of fingolimod, may be a new potential treatment in MS and potentially other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Alemtuzumab may be a useful addition to the armamentarium as first-line treatment for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Arbaclofen extended-release tablets may be more effective at decreasing spasticity related to MS than the commonly used spasticity-fighting drug baclofen.

Neuro News Roundup: Potential MS Therapies. October 2016

Amiselimod Safe and Effective in Relapsing MS. Abstract link.

Amiselimod, an oral selective modulator of sphingosine 1-phosphate 1 receptor, in two separate doses appears to be a safe and effective treatment for RRMS.

Encouraging data on cardiac safety and efficacy could lead to another treatment for relapsing MS, if the data hold up in phase 3 trials.

Alemtuzumab Provides Durable Improvements for Relapsing MS. Abstract link.

Alemtuzumab has maintained clinical efficacy for 6 years in treatment-naÃ¯ve RRMS patients who received no additional treatment since the initial 2 courses of the drug.

Arbaclofen Reduces Spasticity in MS. Abstract link.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study in 354 adults with spasticity due to MS compared arbaclofen 20 mg twice daily with baclofen tablets 20 mg four times daily and matching placebo.

Arbaclofen administered twice daily appears to be safe and effective and better tolerated than baclofen in MS patients with spasticity.

Take-home messages

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Neuro News Roundup: Potential MS Therapies

Mark L. Fuerst