[Molecular target drug development for curing multiple sclerosis]

Takashi Yamamura

[Molecular target drug development for curing multiple sclerosis]

Brain Nerve. 2009 Aug;61(8):923-8.

[Article in Japanese]

Author

Takashi Yamamura¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Immunology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.

PMID: 19697881

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system disease in which autoimmune mechanisms are operative. Although it appears that the prognosis of MS has been significantly improved after interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate were introduced in clinic, many patients are still refractory to available medications, and the necessity to develop new treatment options is obvious. Current trend in the drug discovery is to find or make a drug whose molecular target is clearly identified. This is also the case for the development of drugs for MS. Here I review current status in the development of so-called "molecular target drugs" for MS. In general, effects of such drugs well fit to the expected mechanism of action. Although concerns about opportunistic infections including JC virus-mediated progressive multi-focal leukoencephalopathy (PML) have not been dissolved, better clinical and laboratory monitoring of the immune system of the patients may help minimize potential side effects of these drugs.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Abatacept
Animals
Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Autoimmunity
Clinical Trials as Topic
Daclizumab
Drug Discovery*
Fingolimod Hydrochloride
Humans
Immunoconjugates / therapeutic use
Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
Integrin alpha4beta1 / antagonists & inhibitors
JC Virus
Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / virology
Ligands
Lysophospholipids / agonists
Multiple Sclerosis / genetics
Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
Multiple Sclerosis / therapy*
Natalizumab
Opportunistic Infections
Propylene Glycols / therapeutic use
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
Sphingosine / agonists
Sphingosine / analogs & derivatives
Sphingosine / therapeutic use
Ustekinumab

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Immunoconjugates
Immunoglobulin G
Integrin alpha4beta1
Ligands
Lysophospholipids
Natalizumab
Propylene Glycols
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
sphingosine 1-phosphate
Abatacept
Daclizumab
Ustekinumab
Fingolimod Hydrochloride
Sphingosine