Combination therapies for multiple sclerosis: scientific rationale, clinical trials, and clinical practice

Abstract

Purpose of review: To outline the scientific rationale for combination therapy in multiple sclerosis and to discuss the evidence for combination treatment strategies from animal models and clinical trials of multiple sclerosis.

Recent findings: Experiments conducted in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis have recently shown beneficial effects of numerous combination therapies. The combination of approved and experimental drugs and two or more experimental agents may positively impact clinical disease activity, inflammation within the central nervous system, and neurorepair. Clinical trials are currently underway to establish the therapeutic efficacy and safety of various combination therapies for multiple sclerosis patients.

Summary: More effective therapies are needed to treat multiple sclerosis. There are good scientific rationales for the use of combination therapy in multiple sclerosis, and the pharmacologic principles for evaluating and understanding their actions are available. The evaluation of specific combination therapies in the controlled setting of clinical trials should be a priority in clinical multiple sclerosis research.