[Multiple sclerosis: between wish and reality]

Abstract

The guidelines for the therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS) are unchanged. An acute episode is treated intravenously with high-dosed glucocorticoid. This is usually followed by an immunomodulating basic therapy, although the currently approved preparations for this purpose are only partially effective. During the last ten years, a series of new therapeutic approaches have been developed. The monoclonal antibody natalizumab (Tysabri) was approved for use in the U.S.A. in 2004 and showed good success, but had to be removed from the market in February 2005 because of grave side effects. Up until now, the chemokine receptor antagonist CCR1 has been tested in a pilot study. A clinical phase III study is being planned with MS patients for the interleukin-2 receptor antagonist daclizumab.