Neurológia pre prax 2/2020

Ocrelizumab and novel therapeutic goals in multiple sclerosis

The group of drugs intended for the treatment of multiple sclerosis has continuously expanded to include new agents in the recent years. The first drug intended not only for the treatment of relapsing-remitting, but also primary-progressive multiple sclerosis is the monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab. The increasing number of effective drugs simultaneously expands treatment algorithm options. Disease stability remains the therapeutic goal; however, its definition has shifted from a mere monitoring of clinical signs and symptoms of disease relapse or progression to more complex composite parameters encompassing activity or progression of multiple sclerosis that cannot be detected with routine clinical examination. Other parameters observed include magnetic resonance imaging activity and changes in gait speed and upper limb dexterity. Implementation of the above parameters into clinical trials allows for a more detailed comparison of efficacy of individual drugs, leading to a consideration of incorporating the above-mentioned tests into routine clinical practice.

Keywords: The group of drugs intended for the treatment of multiple sclerosis has continuously expanded to include new agents in the recent years. The first drug intended not only for the treatment of relapsing-remitting, but also primary-progressive multiple sclerosis is the monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab. The increasing number of effective drugs simultaneously expands treatment algorithm options. Disease stability remains the therapeutic goal; however, its definition has shifted from a mere monitoring of clinical signs and symptoms of disease relapse or progression to more complex composite parameters encompassing activity or progression of multiple sclerosis that cannot be detected with routine clinical examination. Other parameters observed include magnetic resonance imaging activity and changes in gait speed and upper limb dexterity. Implementation of the above parameters into clinical trials allows for a more detailed comparison of efficacy of individual drugs, leading to a consideration of incorporating the above-mentioned tests into routine clinical practice.