Neurológia pre prax 1/2016

Teriflunomide in treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis – immunomodulatory mechanisms

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system through demyelination and neurodegeneration. Autoreactive lymphocytes penetrate the blood-brain barrier to attack the nervous system. Teriflunomide has recently been approved as a treatment of relapsing forms of MS. The main therapeutic effect is considered to be mediated via the inhibition of the de novo synthesis of pyrimidine leading to a reduction in proliferation of activated T and B cells without causing cell death. Vaccination with inactivated vaccines is possible during treatment with teriflunomide and leads to sufficient immune response.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, teriflunomide, immunomodulation, autoimmunity, PML, vaccination