Fingolimod as first-line treatment in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis: a case report

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) has a highly active and aggressive course, which can have a devastating effect on the physical and cognitive functioning of a child if not treated appropriately with effective disease-modifying drugs. The optimal treatment strategy of pediatric MS is currently unknown and debate continues as to whether treatment escalation or initiation of a highly active therapy provides a better outcome. Here, we present the case of a 16-year-old female diagnosed with highly active relapsing-remitting MS (age at onset: 14 years) who received first-line treatment with fingolimod within 1 year of the first recorded symptom. Since starting fingolimod, the course of the disease has essentially been stable. No new or active lesions were observed in magnetic resonance imaging scans performed at 3 and 12 months after starting fingolimod, and treatment was well tolerated. These data suggest that, in this case, early treatment with first-line fingolimod was able to slow disease progression.

Automated summary

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis can have devastating effects on the physical and cognitive functioning of a child, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective treatment. There is ongoing debate on the optimal treatment strategy, whether to escalate treatment or start highly active therapy, but this case demonstrates that early treatment with first-line fingolimod was able to slow disease progression.