Identification and development of new therapeutics for multiple sclerosis

In recent years, large efforts have been undertaken to establish new therapeutic options for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). So far, all of these strategies more or less specifically target subsets of the immune response in MS, including not only activation and expansion of T cells, their circulation and transmigration over the blood-brain barrier but also other cell types such as B cells and probably also natural killer cells. Here, we review available data on the most promising (at present) new therapeutic approaches. These involve the orally available compounds cladribine, FTY720, fumaric-acid esters, laquinimod and teriflunomide in addition to the monoclonal antibodies alemtuzumab, daclizumab, natalizumab and rituximab. After successful completion of Phase III studies, these compounds might have the potential to add to the current therapeutic armentarium especially for relapsing remitting disease courses in the near future, possibly opening the way to a more individualized treatment.