Optimizing therapeutics in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis: a review of drug efficacy, dosing, and mechanisms of action

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurological disorder that affects nearly 2 million adults, mostly in the prime of their youth. An environmental trigger, such as a viral infection, is hypothesized to initiate the abnormal behavior of host immune cells: to attack and damage the myelin sheath surrounding the neurons of the central nervous system. While several other pathways and disease triggers are still being investigated, it is nonetheless clear that MS is a heterogeneous disease with multifactorial etiologies that works independently or synergistically to initiate the aberrant immune responses to myelin. Although there are still no definitive markers to diagnose the disease or to cure the disease per se, research on management of MS has improved many fold over the past decade. New disease-modifying therapeutics are poised to decrease immune inflammatory responses and consequently decelerate the progression of MS disease activity, reduce the exacerbations of MS symptoms, and stabilize the physical and mental status of individuals. In this review, we describe the mechanism of action, optimal dosing, drug administration, safety, and efficacy of the disease-modifying therapeutics that are currently approved for MS therapy. We also briefly touch upon the new drugs currently under investigation, and discuss the future of MS therapeutics.

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex and chronic demyelinating autoimmune neurological disorder that manifests through an interaction of environmental and genetic factors.^1–5 The onset of MS occurs at an individual’s most productive years (20–40 years),^6,7 and affects considerably more women than men.^8–10 A long-term follow-up study of MS reports a steady rise in the incidence of MS, while the age at onset of disease symptoms has been continuously decreasing.⁶ Nearly 2.5 million individuals worldwide (nearly one in every 400 individuals) are afflicted with MS, although experts consider this number to be an underestimation of true prevalence. MS is unquestionably a disabling disease that impairs both the physical function and cognitive ability of patients.¹¹ While their longevity is not severely compromised (reduction in life span by 6–7 years),¹² quality of life is significantly impacted, as individuals are plagued by MS-associated comorbidities, such as chronic pain, fatigue, depression, sleep disorders, spasticity, gait and coordination imbalances, migraines, sensory organ dysfunctions, and overall cognitive impairment. Since the description of MS by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot as a triad of symptoms (nystagmus, intention tremor, and slurred speech)¹³ in 1868, research on the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of this disease has progressed dramatically, although a conclusive diagnostic marker or curative therapy still remains undefined.

MS diagnosis and subtype classification

Presently, a combination of paraclinical diagnostic investigations, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of brain-lesion dissemination in space and time, presence of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid, delayed latencies in visual evoked potentials, and changes in retinal nerve fiber-layer thickness evaluated using optical coherence tomography alongside clinical symptoms, as recommended by the 2010 McDonald criteria, are used to guide MS diagnosis.^14–16 While several potential biomarkers are being studied to ascertain their utility in diagnosing MS,^17,18 none has yet been determined as clinically useful. Furthermore, discovery of markers to establish prognosis based on disease symptoms and treatment trajectories is also wanting.¹⁹

A majority of MS patients (∼85%) experience symptomatic attacks between dormant states (“remission”), commonly referred to as the relapsing–remitting type (RRMS), which may initially present as a clinically isolated syndrome. This may segue, after a number of years, into secondary progressive MS, marked by fewer or no relapses and gradual neurological worsening with brain atrophy. Primary progressive MS presents with a continuous neurological worsening from the first onset of symptoms. Despite their similarity, studies have identified distinct pathological differences²⁰ that could be translated to determine treatment decisions and predict the prognosis for patients based on the subtype presentation.^21,22 Of note, primary and secondary progressive forms have generally been more resistant to anti-inflammatory therapies when compared to RRMS subtype.

Management of MS

MS therapeutics divides into primary disease treatment using immunomodulating agents, which will be discussed in detail, as well as specific symptom management (eg, spasticity, fatigue, depression, pain, etc), which will not be further addressed in this review.

Primary immunomodulatory therapeutics

The goal of mainstay therapies of MS is to reduce relapses and postpone progression of disability in patients.^23,24 To this end, strategies adopted to treat MS are twofold: a short-term treatment to help reduce the accumulation of disease burden after an acute relapse, and a long-term, sustained treatment aimed at stabilizing the disease process.²⁵

Short-term treatment for acute relapse

In the initial stages of an MS relapse, individuals are generally treated with high doses (500–1,000 mg) of intravenous corticosteroids (eg, methylprednisolone) for a short period of 3–5 days. In rare cases, subcutaneous or intramuscular injections of adrenocorticotropic hormone (eg, HP Acthar® gel) are used, specifically for individuals who cannot tolerate or have poor response to intravenous prednisolone.^26–28 These anti-inflammatory agents accelerate the process of recovery, and reduce duration of the relapse; however, they do not have any bearing on the occurrence of new relapses or on long-term disease progression.^27–30

Long-term disease management

The fundamental pathogenesis of MS is characterized by two stages of disease development.³¹ The inception of MS symptoms (clinical and paraclinical) and focal demyelination of neurons occur during the early inflammatory phase. The late neurodegenerative phase is characterized by further demyelination of neurons perpetrated by infiltrating macrophages, microglial cells, and lymphocytes that attack the endogenous myelin sheath proteins as antigens, leading to irreversible axonal loss.³² Given the role played by lymphocytes in advancing MS, long-term disease management is largely directed towards suppressing the immune-inflammatory responses that promote demyelination and neuronal degradation in an effort to prevent any saltatory changes in the status quo of patients.^23,24,27,33 Outcomes of MS treatments are evaluated based on a reduction in MS annualized relapse rate (ARR), stabilization, or regression in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and unchanged brain and spinal cord MRI lesion burden.³⁴

Over the past decade, the disease-fighting armamentarium for MS has rapidly expanded with the discovery of new disease-modifying therapeutics (DMTs), which employ different mechanisms to slow or reverse inflammatory lesion formation. To date, regulatory agencies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency, have approved nine different DMTs (Table 1) to aid with modifying the disease course in MS patients (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm). Emerging evidence suggests some DMTs may be able to stabilize and perhaps even improve neurological status; however, they are not capable of completely relieving all symptoms of MS.²³ Here, we briefly discuss the mechanism of action, optimal dosing, and efficacy of each of these DMTs.

Table 1.

Dosing and side-effects of currently approved multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapeutics

DMT	Year of approval	Route of administration	Frequency of dosing	Dosage	Common adverse effects	Severe adverse effects
Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron®)	1993	Subcutaneous injection	Every other day	250 mcg	Influenza-like symptoms, urticaria, depression, injection-site reactions, leukopenia, headache	Hepatic injury, congestive heart failure, seizures
Interferon beta-1a (Avonex®)	1996	Intramuscular injection	Once a week	30 mcg	Influenza-like symptoms, depression, anemia, urticaria, fever, myalgia, asthenia	Hepatic injury, congestive heart failure, anaphylactic shock
Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®)	1996	Subcutaneous injection	Daily	20 mg	Injection-site reactions, palpitations, urticaria, dyspnea, chest pain, vasodilation	Injection site lipoatrophy and necrosis
Interferon beta-1a (Rebif®)	2002	Subcutaneous injection	Three times a week	22 mcg 44 mcg	Influenza-like symptoms, depression, injection-site reactions, urticaria, myalgia, fever, abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes	Hepatic injury, anaphylactic shock
Natalizumab (Tysabri®)	2006	Intravenous infusion	Every 4 weeks	300 mg	Headache, urinary tract infections, lung infections, abdominal pain, fatigue, joint pain, depression, gastroenteritis, urticaria, arthralgia	PML, anaphylactic shock, hepatotoxicity
Fingolimod (Gilenya®)	2010	Oral capsule	Daily	0.5 mg	Headache, influenza, gastrointestinal discomfort, back pain, abnormal liver-function tests, angina	Macular edema, bradyarrhythmia, PML, hypotension, herpes infection
Teriflunomide (Aubagio®)	2012	Oral capsule	Daily		Dyspnea, hypertension, gastrointestinal discomfort, leukopenia, urticaria, alopecia, paresthesia	Hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy hyperkalemia, acute renal failure
Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera®)	2013	Oral capsule	Twice daily	120 mg 240 mg	Gastrointestinal disorders (abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc), flushing, pruritus, rash, erythema	Lymphopenia

Note: Mitoxantrone® not covered in this review.

Abbreviations: DMT, disease-modifying therapy; PML, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Interferons

Interferons (IFNs) are proteins that belong to the cytokine network and are involved with the regulation of immune response against microbial and viral antigens.³⁵ Their immunomodulatory properties were leveraged to develop the first DMTs for MS, namely, IFN-β1b (Betaseron®, Bayer HealthCare, Leverkusen, Germany; Extavia, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), a fermented and purified recombinant protein produced in the bacterium Escherichia coli,³⁶ and two preparations of IFN-β1a (Avonex®, Biogen Idec Inc., Weston, MA, USA; Rebif®, Merck Serono, Geneva, Switzerland), which are recombinant human IFN proteins produced in mammalian cells in a glycosylated form.^27,37

In vitro studies using human isogenic T cell lines and murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE; a disease very similar to MS) models and in vivo studies on humans (clinical trials) have elucidated the mechanism of action of IFN-β to be as follows:^37–39 IFN-β suppresses the proliferation of myelin-basic protein-specific T cells, reduces the production of proinflammatory cytokines (eg, IFN-γ), and induces anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-10.^37,39,40 This results in a cytokine balance that protects neurons from demyelination by preventing the proliferation of T cells that are required for advancing the autoimmune process and inhibiting T cells from crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and entering the central nervous system (CNS).^39,40 Both IFN-β1b and IFN-β1a are equivalent with respect to their ability to reduce MS disease activity (Tables 1 and 2), and they reduce ARR by up to 30%, decrease formation of new or enlarging gadolinium-enhancing MRI lesions by 50%, and significantly lower the progression of EDSS scores.^27,41–44

Table 2.

Efficacy of approved multiple sclerosis therapeutics: Phase III clinical trial results

Disease-modifying therapy	Study	Study design	Treatment	Patients, n	Study duration	ARR (% decrease compared to placebo)	EDSS (% decrease compared to placebo)	Gd-MRI (% decrease in T2 weighted lesions)
Interferon-β1b (Betaseron)	IFNB study group,42 Paty et al41	R, DB, PC	Placebo IFN-β 0.05 mcg IFN-β 0.25 mcg	123 125 124	36 months	0.92 0.8(13) 0.66 (28)	46 47 35	66 63
Interferon-β1a (Avonex)	Jacobs et al129	R, DB, PC	Placebo IM-IFN	143 158	104 weeks	0.9 0.61 (32)	34.9 21.9(37)	35
Interferon-β1a (Rebif)	PRISMS study group130	R, DB, PC	Placebo SC-IFN 22 mcg SC-IFN 44 mcg	187 189 184	12 months	2.56 1.82 (29) 1.73 (32)	37 29 (22) 26 (30)	67 78
Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone)	Johnson et al53	R, DB, PC	Placebo GA	126 125	24 months	0.84 0.59 (29)	28.8 20.8 (28)	NA
Natalizumab (Tysabri)	Polman et al1	R, DB, PC	Placebo Nat	627 942	116 weeks	0.73 0.23 (68)	29 17 (41)	83
Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)	Gold et al99	R, DB, PC	Placebo 2 × DMF 3 × DMF	408 410 416	96 weeks	0.36 0.17 (53) 0.19 (48)	27 16 (38) 18 (34)	85 74
	Fox et al100	R, DB, PC, GA	Placebo 2 × DMF 3 × DMF GA	333 338 316 304	96 weeks	0.4 0.22 (44) 0.2 (50.5) 0.29 (28.6)	17 13 (21) 13 (24) 16 (7)	57 65 41
Teriflunomide (Aubagio)	O’Connor et al131	R, DB, PC	Placebo Ter 7 mg Ter 14 mg	363 365 368	108 weeks	0.54 0.37 (31.2) 0.37 (31.5)	27.3 21.7 (23.7) 20.2 (29.8)	16.7 31.3
Fingolimod (Gilenya)	Kappos et al124	R, DB, PC	Placebo Fing 0.5 mg Fing 1.25 mg	418 425 429	24 months	0.4 0.18 (52) 0.16 (62)	24.1 12.5 (37) 11.5 (40)	74 74
	Cohen et al125	R, DB, IM-IFN	IM-IFN Fing 0.5 mg Fing 1.25 mg	431 429 420	12 months	0.33 0.16 (52) 0.2 (40)	7.9 5.9 (25) 6.7 (15)	35 42

Abbreviations: ARR, annualized relapse rate; EDSS, Expanded Disability Status Scale; Gd-MRI, gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging; PRISMS, Prevention of Relapses and Disability by Interferon beta-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sderosis; R, randomized; DB, double-blind; PC, placebo-controlled; NA, not available; DMF, dimethyl fumarate; 2×, twice daily; 3×, thrice daily; IFN-β, interferon-β1b (Betaseron); IM-IFN, intramuscular interferon-β1a (Avonex); SC-IFN, subcutaneous interferon-β1a (Rebif); GA, glatiramer acetate; Nat, natalizumab; Ter, teriflunomide; Fing, fingolimod.

Glatiramer acetate

Demyelination of neurons in MS is mediated by activation of helper T cells in response to a specific myelin-basic protein (MBP), which is one of the autoantigens in MS.^45,46 Peptides of MBP bind to class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC II) molecules, which are then recognized by T cells as antigens and consequently destroyed.^47,48 In 1995, Copolymer 1 (glatiramer acetate [GA]/Copaxone®; Teva Pharmaceuticals, Petach Tikva, Israel) was introduced as an alternate therapy to IFN-β. GA is a synthetic polymer of four amino acids (L-glutamate, L-lysine, L-alanine, and L-tyrosine) that mimics MBP, and hence competes with MBP antigens to bind with MHC II.^27,49 Using human Epstein–Barr virus-transformed B cell lines, Fridkis-Hareli et al⁵⁰ demonstrated in vitro that GA binds to MHC-II molecules with high efficiency as well as at a fast rate. Thus, when the MHC-II molecules are blocked from binding to MBP, T cell responses are automatically diverted away from the myelin, resulting in neuronal protection.^49,50 The proliferation of T cells is thus controlled by GA in a dose-dependent manner.⁵¹ MHC-II molecules interact with CD4⁺ molecules that are present on the surface of helper T cells (Th1 and Th2) that produce proinflammatory cytokine (Th1-type cytokines: INF-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (Th2-type cytokines: IL-10) molecules.⁵² GA preferentially inhibits production of INF-γ, induces regulatory Th2-like T cell populations that cross-react with MBP, and produce anti-inflammatory cytokines, which in turn protects the myelin through a “bystander-suppression” mechanism.⁵¹ GA is generally well tolerated and reduces ARR by 29%; however, it was unable to reduce disability progression significantly when compared to placebo (Tables 1 and 2).^53–55

Given their safety profile, low toxicity, reasonable efficacy, and relative tolerability, IFN and GA are often prescribed as first-line MS therapies.^23,27 While a meta-analysis study in 2004 indicated that GA was not useful in treating MS,⁵⁵ a more recent study substantiated its utility in treating relapses related to RRMS, but reiterated its limited impact on disability progression.⁵⁶

Natalizumab

In the early 1990s, Yednock et al⁵⁷ identified that monocytic cells selectively bound to inflamed blood vessels in the brain; the inflammation was caused by EAE. Using an EAE mouse model, they demonstrated that the selective adhesion of leukocytes to vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), a protein expressed on the surface of vascular endothelial cells in the brain and spinal cord,⁵⁸ is a critical step to gain entry into the CNS across the BBB. Over 95% of this adhesion was significantly inhibited by antibodies against the integrin molecule α₄β₁ (very late-activation antigen 4 [VLA-4]), a glycoprotein surface molecule found on all leukocytes except neutrophils.⁵⁷ Administration of the antibodies reduced the progression of inflammatory disease severity in MS patients (MRI lesions),^59,60 and prevented the development of paralysis in animal studies.⁶¹ Hence, it was hypothesized that monoclonal antibodies against VLA-4 could help with treating autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as MS by blocking the VCAM-1/VLA-4 interaction, and preventing infiltration of leukocytes across the BBB.^57,58 In early 2000, natalizumab (Antegren; Elan, Dublin, Ireland, and Biogen Idec Inc.), an α₄-integrin humanized monoclonal antibody to VLA-4, was developed.⁶² Natalizumab specifically targets the T cells⁶³ and inhibits the α₄-integrin-mediated firm adhesion of T cells to the inflamed BBB by 70%, but does not interfere with the initial contact of T cells with the BBB, suggesting that the central mechanism of natalizumab action is prevention of T cell entry into the CNS.⁶⁴

After establishment of the relative safety profile in a Phase I clinical trial,⁶⁵ Phase II and Phase III double-blind placebo-controlled trials demonstrated its efficacy in reducing ARR, especially in patients with higher disease activity.^60,66 The FDA subsequently approved natalizumab (Tysabri; Biogen Idec Inc.) as an MS monotherapy in 2004 (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2004/125104_0000_ltr.pdf). However, the emergence of three cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) led to its withdrawal from the market for a brief period between February 2005 and June 2006.^67,68 In 2006, the results of the Natalizumab Safety and Efficacy in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (AFFIRM) trial,¹ with a follow-up of over 2 years, elucidated the superiority of natalizumab in controlling progression of MS (Table 2), resulting in reinstatement of natalizumab as an MS therapeutic.^1,69 Natalizumab therapy also significantly improves the overall quality of life of RRMS patients (Table 2).^70–74 The Safety and Efficacy of Natalizumab in Combination with Interferon Beta-1a in Patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (SENTINEL) study further reiterated the efficacy of natalizumab as a combination therapy with IFN-β1a (Table 2) than administration of IFN alone (Table 2).⁷⁵

The principal limitation to natalizumab utilization has been PML, related to the mutation of the John Cunningham (JC) polyoma virus to a neurotrophic form. Postmarketing surveillance of natalizumab reported 377 incidences of PML⁷⁶ across the world, and three principal factors have been identified to increase the risk of developing PML (therapy ≥24 months, history of immunosuppressant treatment, and JC-antibody positivity) in patients undergoing natalizumab therapy.^71,76,77 Further, recent studies show that higher-titer levels of JC virus antibody predispose to development of PML.⁷⁸ Less well defined is the possible contribution of excessively low CD62L (L-selectin) expression on CD4⁺ cell populations⁷⁹ and the possible association between low body weight and increased PML risk, which are presently being studied extensively.⁸⁰ Although its superior efficacy in modulating disease activity and progression has made natalizumab a reliable therapy for MS, the risk-to-benefit ratio of the drug varies dramatically among patients, and hence demands a more personalized approach to utilization.

Dimethyl fumarate

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF; BG-12, Tecfidera®; Biogen Idec Inc.) is a methyl ester of fumaric acid approved by the FDA as an oral MS therapy on March 27, 2013 (www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm345528.htm). A well-known pathway to MS is oxidative stress brought about by the effector molecule peroxynitrite (reactive nitrogen species [RNS]).⁸¹ Macrophages, upon localization in the glial cells, release proinflammatory cytokines and free radicals to aid with host immune protection.^82–84 The antimicrobial properties of Nitric Oxide (NO) are well established,⁸⁵ but as a cytotoxic agent NO also leads to extensive host cellular damage. In inflamed regions, NO is released equivalently to the extent of inflammation: the more the inflammation, the more the NO released.^86,87 NO reacts with other free radicals like superoxide to produce RNS,^82,88 which in turn induces oxidative damage to the mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid, ultimately resulting in decreased adenosine triphosphate production.⁸⁹ Thus axonal transport, a process that requires adenosine triphosphate, and cellular respiration are impaired, leading to axonal degeneration and irreversible cell apoptosis.⁸⁹

Initial in vitro studies highlighted the detoxification and anti-inflammatory capabilities of DMF, which reduces with the production and release of inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and NO, and elevates the production of detoxification enzymes such as reduced-form nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone reductase 1 and/or glutathione.^83,88,90 Additional studies in EAE mouse models showed a DMF dose-dependent decrease in inflammatory cell infiltrates (composed of macrophages, microglial cells, and proinflammatory cytokines).⁹¹ DMF also inhibits the expression of VCAM-1⁹² and activates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), a transcription factor with antioxidant properties. Nrf2-mediated antioxidative stress response reduces the free radicals, prevents synthesis of RNS, and thus protects the CNS from degeneration and axonal loss.⁹³ Thus, DMF preserves myelin integrity via two pathways: by down-regulating oxidative stress and corresponding cellular injury, as well as by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines.^82,93–95

The first exploratory study of oral fumaric acid esters was performed in ten patients with RRMS in 2006.⁹⁶ Promising results from this study led to the expansion of clinical research to apply BG-12, a second-generation fumarate derivative as a potential oral therapeutic for RRMS.⁹⁷ Kappos et al⁹⁸ demonstrated the safety and efficacy of DMF, showing a 69% reduction in gadolinium-enhanced MRI (Gd-MRI) lesions and a 32% reduction in ARR when compared to placebo (Table 1). The Phase III trials DEFINE (Determination of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Fumarate in Relapsing-Remitting MS)⁹⁹ and CONFIRM (Comparator and an Oral Fumarate in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis)¹⁰⁰ further elucidated the efficacy of DMF in reducing ARR by 53% and 44% compared to placebo or GA, respectively (Table 2), a decrease in Gd-MRI activity by 70%, and a decrease in disability progression of 38% (Table 2). In addition, the side effects of DMF were relatively benign, including gastrointestinal discomfort, flushing, decreased lymphocyte count, and elevated liver aminotransferase levels (Table 1).^99–101 Although some formulations and metabolites of fumaric acid esters are known to cause PML,^102,103 DMF by itself has been suggested as a safe drug with relatively low side effects.¹⁰⁴

Teriflunomide

Teriflunomide is the active metabolite of leflunomide, a chemical with known anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and immunosuppressive properties.¹⁰⁵ The utility of oral teriflunomide in treating MS was realized in 2006 through a Phase II clinical study reported by O’Connor et al,¹⁰⁶ which elucidated its immunomodulatory effects in decreasing MRI lesions and ARR in RRMS patients. Triggering of an immune response involves the proliferation of T cells and B cells to provide antigen-specific cell-mediated or humoral immunity, respectively. In order to activate the lymphocytes to undergo clonal expansion, adhesion of T cells to the antigen-presenting cells is a crucial step.¹⁰⁷ Teriflunomide primarily acts by interfering with the lymphocyte cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation. Lymphocyte mitosis requires an eightfold increase in the level of pyrimidine ribonucleotides (eg, ribonucleotide uridine monophosphate) during the interphase of the cell cycle. A key enzyme, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), is necessary for the de novo synthesis of these pyrimidine ribonucleotides, which in turn fulfills the metabolic needs that are necessary for clonal expansion of lymphocytes.^108,109 By preventing the synthesis of DHODH, teriflunomide actively reduces the pyrimidine ribonucleotide levels, stalls mitosis and further lymphocyte proliferation, and thus protects neurons from autoimmune damage. Teriflunomide also acts by inhibiting protein tyrosine kinases, leading to decreased T cell proliferation, and by shifting the cytokine profile to prevent inflammation (ie, inhibiting synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and promoting anti-inflammatory cytokines).¹¹⁰ EAE animal models treated with teriflunomide showed a significant reduction in axonal damage by up to 96%, nonlatency or delay of motor-evoked potentials, and preservation of the anatomical integrity in both the ascending and descending tracts of the spinal cord, thus underscoring its direct effect on neuroprotection.^111,112

The TEMSO (Teriflunomide Multiple Sclerosis Oral) trial⁶⁸ illustrated the efficacy of Aubagio® (Genzyme, Boston, MA, USA) as an MS DMT (Table 2), demonstrating nearly 31% reduction in ARR, a longer time to first relapse, approximately 20% decrease in disability progression, and a decrease in Gd-MRI lesion activity when compared to placebo. Recent animal studies have shown that teriflunomide can significantly improve motor function and decrease the probability of debilitating paralysis, suggesting that it might become one of the early treatment drugs for MS.¹¹¹ To this end, a Phase III clinical trial (TOPIC [Phase III Study with Teriflunomide Versus Placebo in Patients with First Clinical Symptom of Multiple Sclerosis]; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00622700)¹¹³ is ongoing, with an expected study completion date of August 2015, that will inform the utility of teriflunomide in early clinical treatment.

Fingolimod

Levels of T cells and B cells are regulated through a circulatory mechanism between the blood and appropriate secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs), and the homing of T cells from the blood to sites of inflammation in the CNS is crucial for MS pathogenesis. The MBP-activated T cells breach the BBB, reach the site of inflammation, become encephalitogenic effector cells, and initiate demyelination within the CNS.¹¹⁴ An extracellular signaling molecule, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), regulates the process of trafficking T cells and B cells from the lymph to the blood.¹¹⁵ The S1P receptors, when activated, induce egress of T cells (naïve) from peripheral blood and sequester them within the SLOs, thus decreasing T cell levels in the blood.^{106,116–118}

FTY720 (2-amino-[2-{4-octylphenyl}ethyl]-1, 3-propanediol hydrochloride), a synthetic S1P analogue, immunomodulates the S1P receptors and revises the T cells’ migratory pathway (ie, prevents emigration of activated T cells from lymph nodes and sequesters them within SLOs).¹¹⁸ This sequestration dramatically reduces the availability of T cells in the blood that can infiltrate the BBB and home in to the inflamed cells in the CNS. Thus, FTY720 (Fingolimod, Gilenya®; Novartis) effectively confers neuroprotection against demyelination.^119–121 In murine models, FTY720 dramatically reduced the expression of the proinflammatory Th1-type cytokines due to the absence of T cell migrants to promote further inflammation.¹²² In addition, FTY720 is also suggested to promote remyelination of neurons in the CNS via direct interaction with oligodendrocytes.¹²³

The FREEDOMS (FTY720 Research Evaluating Effects of Daily Oral Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis) study¹²⁴ tested two doses (0.5 mg or 1.25 mg) of fingolimod or placebo taken once daily for 24 months. Results showed that patients treated with fingolimod had an approximately 70% decrease in MS disease activity and a stable EDSS score (Table 2), and about 50% of patients had no change in T2-weighted MRI lesions.¹²⁴ In a head-to-head comparison with IFN-β1a (TRANSFORMS [Trial Assessing Injectable Interferon Versus FTY720 Oral in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis]), RRMS patients on fingolimod on average had lower ARRs, significantly fewer new or enlarged T2-weighted MRI lesions, and a stable EDSS score (Table 2).¹²⁵ Despite its promising efficacy, fingolimod’s safety profile has been challenging, with occurrence of bradyarrhythmias that have caused deaths and elicited prolonged cardiac monitoring for first dosings.¹²⁶ Death of MS patients who were administered fingolimod in the presence of varicella zoster viral infection has also been reported.¹²⁷ A first case of PML in the absence of prior natalizumab therapy has also been identified.¹²⁸ Research reports on the safety and efficacy of fingolimod are still emerging, and additional data will further inform the risks versus benefits of this drug for MS therapy.

MS therapy: past, present, and future

Great strides have been made in the last 20 years in MS therapeutics, beginning with the initial INF-β-positive trials up through the recent approval of DMF. A number of newer agents are poised potentially to gain approval over the next few years, which we have briefly touched upon (Table 3). Incremental improvements in efficacy have been seen together with improved odds of disease stability with therapy and the potential for disease improvement with some agents.

Table 3.

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) currently under review for use as multiple sclerosis therapies

DMT (target)	Study phase	Study design	Treatment	Patients, n	Study duration	ARR reduction (% decrease)	% disability progression (% decrease from placebo)	% reduction in T2-weighted Gd-MRI from placebo
Alemtuzumab (CD52 – lymphocyte depletion)	Phase III132	Randomized, double-blind, comparator arm	SC-IFN 44 mg Ale 12 mg	187 376	24 months	0.39 0.18 (54)	II 8 (30)	– NS
Laquinimod (Th1 and Th2 – inhibits leukocyte migration into CNS)	Phase III133	Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled	Placebo Laq 0.6 mg	556 550	24 months	0.39 0.30 (23)	16 11 (29)	– 30
Daclizumab (IL-2 signal modulator–inhibits innate lymphoid cells)	Phase III134	Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled	Placebo Dac 150 mg Dac 300 mg	204 208 209	52 weeks	0.46 0.21 (54) 0.23 (50)	13 6 (57) 8 (43)	– 70 79
Ocrelizumab (CD20–B cell depletion)	Phase II135	Randomized, double-blind, placebo- and IFN-β1a-controlled	Placebo IFN-β1a Ocr 600 mg Ocr 2,000 mg	54 55 56 55	24–48 weeks	0.16 0.14 0.09 0.28	NA	NS

Abbreviations: DMT, disease-modifying therapy; ARR, annualized relapse rate; NA, not available; NS, not significant; CNS, central nervous system; IFN-β1a, interferon-β1a; SC-IFN, subcutaneous interferon-β1a; IL, interkeukin; Ale, alemtuzumab; Laq, laquinimod; Dac, daclizumab; Ocr, ocrelizumab; CD, cluster of differentiation; Gd-MRI, gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging; Th, helper T cell.

As discussed earlier, most agents modify the disease course primarily through anti-inflammatory pathways, although the newest entrant (DMF) may well be efficacious in utilizing a novel antioxidant pathway. However, all these agents carry adverse side effects of varying degrees, and hence a thorough evaluation of the risk–benefit ratio for the individual patient is imperative prior to drug administration (Figure 1). In MS, T cells are known to attack three different antigens: MBP, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, and proteolipid protein. The heterogeneity of MS disease is vast, and each patient’s antibody signature varies: the antigen epitopes that elicit antibody response differ among people, and so does the mechanism of “epitope spreading,” wherein autoreactive T cell activation is elicited by new epitopes secondary to the dominant epitope, either due to their physical proximity or molecular similarity to the dominant epitope, resulting in sequential self-damage. Currently, ways to personalize MS treatment by recognizing these individual epitopes and formulating corresponding antibodies are being explored. Remyelinating agents are actively under investigation, and may yield novel strategies to increase neuronal functionality and survival in the coming years. With preclinical animal trials showing superior efficacy in alleviating MS symptoms, ongoing human clinical trials are investigating the use of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells for effective management of MS. While the goal of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is refurbishing the aberrant T cell population with nonautoreactive T cells, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can potentially promote neural restoration. MS therapeutics is now an area of rapid evolution, with broadening biological targets and ongoing improvement in efficacy.

Figure 1.

Optimizing the risk/efficacy balance of approved MS therapeutics: a physician perspective

Abbreviations: DMF, dimethyl fumarate; GA, glatiramer acetate; MS, Multiple Sclerosis; EDSS, Expanded Disability Status Scale; MR, magnetic resonance; CNS, central nervous system.