Neurológia pre prax 4/2022

Long‑term effect of siponimod on MRI outcomes in patients with secondary‑progressive multiple sclerosis

Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS) is the second most common form of MS worldwide. While there are various disease-modifying drugs indicated for relapsing-remitting MS, effective treatment for SP-MS was lacking. Siponimod, a selective modulator of sfingosin-1-phosphate receptors, is the first oral drug to treat SP-MS, which showed a statistically significant decrease in confirmed disability progression in a phase III clinical trial. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a major role in establishing the diagnosis of MS along with being the most important tool for monitoring the course of the disease. Data from the ongoing openlabel extension part of the pivotal trial confirms the beneficial effect of siponimod on MRI outcomes and highlights the importance of earlier specific treatment initiation.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, treatment, placebo, siponimod, long‑term effect, magnetic resonance imaging, brain atrophy