Neurológia pre prax 6/2014

Fingolimod in clinical practice: case reports

Treatment escalation in multiple sclerosis (MS) can be achieved by the use of fingolimod that represents an advancement in treating MS not only due to its mechanism of action, but also because of its dosage form (tablets). Fingolimod was the first oral medication for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). It is the first sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator. Fingolimod binds to the S1P receptor on lymphocytes and, by reducing its expression, prevents lymphocytes from exiting lymphatic tissue. This mechanism inhibits the migration of autoreactive lymphocytes into the CNS and the development of inflammatory changes. Fingolimod crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and has a neuroprotective effect.

Keywords: INF-beta-1b, INF-beta-1a, glatiramer acetate, treatment escalation, fingolimod.