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Treating Multiple Sclerosis Early Could Delay Symptoms, Study Finds

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Knowledge Nuggets:

  • A Phase 3 clinical trial has shown that early treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) may delay or prevent symptoms in people with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), a precursor to MS.
  • The study’s preliminary results suggest that the drug teriflunomide, which is already approved to treat relapsing-remitting MS, may be effective in delaying or preventing symptoms in those with RIS.
  • RIS is a condition that causes the same brain and spinal cord lesions seen in MS patients, but with very subtle or no symptoms. About half of those with RIS go on to develop MS, making early intervention crucial.

According to a new study, early treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) may delay or prevent symptoms in people with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), a precursor to MS. The study, a small Phase 3 clinical trial, found that the drug teriflunomide may be effective in delaying or preventing symptoms in those with RIS, a condition that causes the same brain and spinal cord lesions seen in MS patients, but with very subtle or no symptoms. About half of those with RIS go on to develop MS, making early intervention crucial.

The drug teriflunomide is already approved to treat relapsing-remitting MS, which accounts for 85% of all MS cases. The trial was funded in part by Sanofi, the maker of the drug. The results of the study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 75th annual meeting in Boston.

“The goal of treatment in the RIS phase is to keep a patient in the 50% that doesn’t convert to MS in 10 years, to stop it before the disease becomes symptomatic,” said Dr. Orhun Kantarci, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and co-author of the study. Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, a neurologist at Cleveland Clinic, added that early intervention is crucial as “once damage starts to accumulate and disability starts to develop, we can’t reverse that.”

The study’s findings suggest that early treatment may be crucial for delaying or preventing the onset of MS. With no FDA-approved treatments for RIS, the results of the study offer new hope for those who have this condition. Early treatment could prevent any progression as soon as lesions are detected, said Dr. William Shaffer, a neurologist at UCHealth in Fort Collins, Colorado, who was also not involved in the trial.

Clear Thoughts:

Early treatment is crucial for preventing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, according to a new study presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting. The study found that the drug teriflunomide, which is already approved to treat relapsing-remitting MS, may be effective in delaying or preventing symptoms in people with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), a precursor to MS.

I believe that it is important to invest in medical research and innovation to improve healthcare outcomes for all Americans. This study is a prime example of how early intervention can prevent symptoms from developing in those with RIS, potentially saving them from the costly and debilitating effects of MS.

Furthermore, the study’s findings underscore the importance of the private sector in developing new treatments and therapies. The drug teriflunomide was developed by Sanofi, a private pharmaceutical company, and its effectiveness in treating RIS could not have been discovered without the company’s investment in research and development.

While it may not always be a popular thing to say: As a society, we must continue to support private companies’ efforts to develop new treatments and therapies for diseases like MS. This will not only improve healthcare, but also the people suffering from these diseases and their families.

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source: nbc

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