MS Treatment Options: Alemtuzumab, Oral Drugs, and Emerging Therapies
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients have a range of treatment options, including injectable therapies, oral medications, and emerging treatments. Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), a humanized monoclonal antibody given as an IV infusion, is approved for relapsing forms of MS. Teriflunomide (Aubagio), the first oral drug for relapsing MS, was approved in 2012, with a generic version available since 2023.
MS is a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system, causing inflammation and myelin deterioration. Treatment typically begins with a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) upon diagnosis. Alemtuzumab is given in two rounds, 12 months apart. Gilenya (fingolimod), approved in 2010, was the first oral DMT. Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) and its generic version are oral DMTs approved for various MS forms, while diroximel fumarate (Vumerity) and monomethyl fumarate (Bafiertam) are similar but distinct oral DMTs.
Treatment with DMTs may continue indefinitely, depending on response, side effects, and adherence. Injectable therapies like interferon beta and glatiramer acetate, along with monoclonal antibodies like natalizumab and ocrelizumab, are also used. Emerging treatments include CAR-T cell therapy and BTK inhibitors like tolebrutinib and fenebrutinib, particularly for progressive MS.
MS patients benefit from numerous treatment options, including injectable therapies, oral medications, and emerging treatments. Alemtuzumab and other DMTs help manage relapsing forms of MS. Treatment plans may change if better options arise, ensuring patients receive the most effective care.
