The new orally active immunoregulator laquinimod (ABR-215062) effectively inhibits development and relapses of experimental autoimmune encephomyelitis

A new orally active drug, laquinimod (ABR-215062), was shown to completely inhibit the development of murine acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Furthermore, leukocyte infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS) was abolished in the laquinimod-treated animals. By direct comparison based on dose and total exposure, laquinimod was approximately 20 times more potent than the immunomodulator roquinimex. Laquinimod also had clear therapeutic effect when given after clinical onset in a chronic relapsing EAE model. It therefore represents a new orally active immumoregulatory drug without general immunosuppressive properties for the treatment of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.