Table 2.

Drug candidates in late-stage development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis [3]

Generic name (brand name)	Mechanism of action	Route of administration (dose)	Therapeutic efficacy
Alemtuzumab (Lemdra)	mAb for CD52 antigen expressed on T and B cell lymphocytes, neutrophils and natural killer cells that reduces the immune response.	Treatment is by intravenous infusion administered over 3 to 5 consecutive days once a year.	Reduced relapse rates by 55% compared with IFNβ-1a (Rebif), but there was no difference in accumulated disability between the two groups.
Daclizumab	mAb for CD25 that increases a subset of dendritic cells which have a regulatory activity and limits T cell expansion by blocking IL-2 signalling	1 or 2 mg kg−1 by intravenous infusion every 4 weeks.	Reduced relapse rate and MRI lesions
		150 mg or 300 mg administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks.
Ocrelizumab	mAb for CD20	Every day, subcutanous (20 mg).	Reduced relapse rate and MRI lesions
Laquinimod	Shifts immune response from Th1 to Th2,	Once a day (0.3 mg)	Reduced relapse, and MRI lesions and disease progression
Firategrast	α4β1-integrin antagonist	Every day; oral (0.5 mg)	Reduced relapse rate and MRI lesions
NU100	recombinant human IFNβ-1b	Every day; oral (7 or 14 mg)	Reduced relapse rate and MRI lesions
BII-B017	PEGylated IFNβ-1a	Twice a day (10 mg)	Reduced relapse rate and MRI lesions

All compounds act on targets in the circulating compartment (blood plasma and lymph fluid). mAb, monoclonal antibody. Th, T helper cell.