Neurológia pre prax 1/2011

Recent advances in treatment of multiple sclerosis with interferon beta in Czech Republic?

Interferon beta and glatiramer acetate comprise the group of first-choice drugs for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. All the drugs have been shown to have an effect on reducing the relapse rate, reducing the disability rate as well as on MRI parameters. In the Czech Republic, patients have been treated with these drugs for about 15 years. The basic indication remains unchanged and the major advances in the past one to two years are: expanding the indication to include clinically isolated syndrome, reducing the age limit for treatment from 18 to 12 years and the possibility to assess neutralizing antibodies against interferon beta.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, clinically isolated syndrome, interferon beta, glatiramer acetate, relapse, neutralizing antibodies. Neurol. prax