Edward Fox

Alemtuzumab in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by CNS inflammation, demyelination and cellular damage with atrophy. Most patients with MS initially present with a relapsing–remitting course, with periodic episodes of neurologic symptomatology that do not follow a predictable pattern. In order to maintain a stable clinical course, it is felt to be important to control the number and severity of relapses, as disability, at least in part, is a cumulative effect of damage from multiple lesions within the brain and spinal cord. Historically, MS has not been considered curable, because the immune system could not be adequately normalized over the course of a lifetime. Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H; Campath®, Genzyme, MA, USA) has recently been investigated in a Phase II clinical trial in the treatment of relapsing–remitting MS. The results observed in the study are very encouraging and multiple insights have been made into the nature of autoimmunity in general based on the clinical response to this monoclonal antibody. Enrollment in two pivotal Phase III clinical trials of alemtuzumab in MS is now complete.

Fingolimod: a review of its mode of action in the context of its efficacy and safety profile in relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis

Fingolimod is an orally administered, first-in-class therapy for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Data from pivotal clinical trials show that fingolimod has a robust, significant effect on annualized relapse rates and MRI outcomes. Fingolimod has a novel, well-characterized mechanism of action. It acts through a specific set of receptors, sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors, present on the surface of a wide range of human cells and tissues, including neural cells, neurons and lymphocytes. Here we review the current literature to describe the mechanism of action of fingolimod in the context of its well-established clinical efficacy and safety profile. Understanding of the mechanisms behind any non-therapeutic effects of fingolimod facilitates their prediction and management in the clinical setting.