Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Multiple Sclerosis

A Case for Early Treatment

  • Chapter
Multiple Sclerosis

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

  • 2496 Accesses

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has emerged as a treatable disorder with several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) now licensed in the United States for MS treatment. These are interferon (IFN)-β-1a (two formulations, Avonex and Rebif), IFN-β-1b (Betaseron), glatiramer acetate (GA) (Copaxone), and mitoxantrone (Novantrone). Although all five DMTs were tested in phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and shown to be superior to placebo, no therapy has ever been shown to halt disease progression (1–5). Because MS is a chronic, unpredictable disease and clinically variable from patient to patient, treatment choices for patients with MS can pose a dilemma, despite the plethora of information. Nonetheless, the use of DMTs in definite relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is well established.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. IFN-beta Study Group. Interferon beta-1b is effective in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. I. Clinical results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Neurology, 1993;43: 655–661.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Jacobs L, Cookfair DL, Ruddick RA, et al. Intramuscular interferon beta-1a for disease progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 1996;39:285–294.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. The PRISMS Study Group. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of interferon beta-1a in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Lancet, 1998;352:1498–1504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Johnson K, Brooks BR, Cohen JA, et al. Copolymer 1 reduces relapse rate and improves disability in remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis: results of a phase III multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Neurology 1995;45:1268–1276.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hartung H, Gonsette R, Konig N, et al. Mitoxantrone in progressive multiple sclerosis: a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized multicentre trial. Lancet 2002;360:2018–2025.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. McDonald W, Compston A, Edan G, et al. Recommended diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines from the International Panel on the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2001;50:121–127.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Trapp B, Ransohoff RM, Fischer E, et al. Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis: relationship to disability. Neuroscientist 1999;5:48–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Schumacher G, Beebe G, Kibler RF, et al. Problems of experimental trials of therapy in multiple sclerosis: report by the panel on the evaluation of experimental trials of therapy in multiple sclerosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1965; 122:552–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Poser C, et al. New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines for research protocols. Ann Neurol 1983;13:227–231.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Morrisey S, Miller DH, Kendall BE, et al. The significance of brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities at presentation with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of multiple sclerosis. A 5-year followup study. Brain 1993;116:135–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. O’Riordan J, Thompson AJ, Kingsley DP, et al. The prognostic value of brain MRI in clinically isolated syndromes of the CNS. A 10-year followup. Brain 1998;121:495–503.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Brex P, Ciccarelli O, O’Riordan JI, Sailer M, Thompson AJ, Miller DH. A longitudinal study of abnormalities on MRI and disability from multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med 2002;346:158–164.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kurtzke J. Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis: an expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Neurology 1983;33:1444–1452.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Tintore M, et al. New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: application in first demyelinating episode. Neurology 2003;60:27–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Dalton C, et al. Application of the new McDonald criteria to patients with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2002;52:47–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Filippi M, Horsfield MA, Morrissey SP, et al. Quantitative brain MRI lesion load predicts the course of clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1994;44: 635–641.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Berger T, et al. Antimyelin antibodies as a predictor of clinically definite multiple sclerosis after a first demyelinating event. N Engl J Med 2003;349:139–145.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Antel J, Bar-Or A. Do myelin-directed antibodies predict multiple sclerosis? N Engl J Med 2003;349: 107–109.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Charcot M. Histologie de la sclerose en plaques. Gazette Hospitaux 1868;141:554–558.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ferguson B, Matyszak MK, Esiri MM, Perry VH. Axonal damage in acute multiple sclerosis lesions. Brain 1997;120:393–399.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Trapp B, Peterson J, Ransohoff RM, Rudick R, Mork S, Bo L. Axonal transection in the lesions of multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med 1998;338:278–285.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Rudick R, Fisher E, Lee JC, Simon J. Use of the brain parenchymal fraction to measure whole brain atrophy in relapsing-remitting MS. Neurology 1999;53:1698–1704.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Arnold D, Shoubridge EA, Villemure JG, Feindel W. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human brain in vivo in the evaluation of multiple sclerosis: assessment of the load of the disease. Magn Reson Med 1990;14: 154–159.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Sarchielli P, Presciutti O, Peiliccioli GP, et al. Absolute quantification of brain metabolites by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in normal-appearing white matter of multiple sclerosis patients. Brain 1999; 122:513–521.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. De Stefano N, Narayanan S, Francis SJ, et al. Diffuse axonal and tissue injury in patients with multiple sclerosis with low cerebral lesion load and no disability. Arch Neurol 2002;59

    Google Scholar 

  26. Chard D, et al. Brain atrophy in clinically early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Brain 2002;125:327–337.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. De Stefano N, Matthews PM, Antel JP, Preul M, Francis G, Arnold DL. Chemical pathology of acute demyelinating lesions and its correlation with disability. Ann Neurol 1995;38:901–909.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Narayana P, Doyle TJ, Lai D, Wolinsky JS. Serial proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and quantitative lesion volumetry in multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 1998;43:56–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. De Stefano N, Matthews PM, Fu L, et al. Axonal damage correlates with disability in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: results of a longitudinal magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Brain 1998;121:1469–1477.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Matthews P, DeStefano N, Narayanan S, et al. Putting magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies in context: axonal damage and disability in multiple sclerosis. Semin Neurol 1998;18:327–336.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Ranjeva J, Pelletier J, Confort-Gouny S, et al. MRI/MRS of corpus callosum in patients with clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2003;9:554–565.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Jacobs L, Beck RW, Simon JH, et al. Intramuscular interferon beta-1a therapy initiated during a first demyelinating event in multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med 2000;343:898–904.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Comi G, Fillippi M, Barkhof F, et al. Effect of early interferon treatment on conversion to definite multiple sclerosis: a randomised study. Lancet 2001;357:1576–1582.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Bornstein M, Miller A, Slagle S, et al. A pilot trial of Cop-1 in exacerbating-remitting multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med 1987;317:408–414.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. The PRISMS4 Study Group, PRISMS4: Long-term efficacy of interferon beta-1a in relapsing MS. Neurology 2001; 56:1628–1636.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Ford C, et al. Sustained efficacy and tolerability of Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated for over 10 years. Mult Scler 2003;9(Suppl 2):S120.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Schwid S, Bever CJ. The cost of delaying treatment in multiple sclerosis. What is lost is not regained. Neurology 2001;56:1620.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Bornstein M, Miller A, Slagle S, et al. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, two-center, pilot trial of Cop1 in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1991;41:533–539.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Goodkin D, et al. North American Study Group on Interferon beta-1b in Secondary Progressive MS: clinical and MRI results of a 3-year randomized controlled trial. Neurology 2000;54:2352.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Secondary Progressive Efficacy Trial of Recombinant Interferon Beta-1b in MS (SPECTRIMS) Study Group. Randomized controlled trial of interferon beta-1a in secondary progressive MS. Neurology 2001;56:1496–1504.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Cohen J, Cutter G, Fischer J, et al. Benefit of interferon beta-1a on MSFC progression in secondary progressive MS. Neurology 2002;59:679–687.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. European Study Group on Interferon beta-1b in Secondary Progressive MS. Placebo-controlled, multicentre, randomised trial of interferon beta-1b in treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Lancet 1998; 352:1491–1497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. McFarland H. Comparative analysis of the outcome of two phase III studies of interferon beta-1b. Neurology 2000;54:2352.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Coles A, Wing MG, Molyneux P, et al. Monoclonal antibody treatment exposes three mechanisms underlying the clinical course of multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 1999;46:296–304.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Paolillo A, Coles AJ, Molyneux PD, et al. Quantitative MRI in patients with secondary progressive MS treated with monoclonal antibody CAMPATH-1H. Neurology 1999;53:751–757.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Coles A, Deans J, Compston A. Campath-1H treatment of multiple sclerosis. Neurology 2003;60: A168–A169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. NMSS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Compendium: Early Treatment Part I. Consensus Statement NMSS. Disease Management Consensus Statement. 1998.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

    Alex C. Tselis PhD, MD & Omar A. Khan MD

Authors
  1. Alex C. Tselis PhD, MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Omar A. Khan MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA

    Michael J. Olek DO

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Tselis, A.C., Khan, O.A. (2005). Multiple Sclerosis. In: Olek, M.J. (eds) Multiple Sclerosis. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-855-2:131

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-855-2:131

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-033-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-855-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation