Two steps in the disease progression can be described. First MS lesions are originated by the activated immune system which recognizes CNS myelin as a foreign element thus leading to the formation of demyelinated plaques that evolve into axonal damage and subsequent neurodegeneration over the time.
Since the beginning MS therapy has been focused on counteracting immune system action. Nevertheless, besides the immunosuppressive/immunomodulating drugs such as Glatiramer acetate, Beta-interferons and steroids, the advance in the comprehension of the immune-mediated mechanisms has sustained the development and use of molecular and cellular-focused approaches, e.g. monoclonal antibodies and stem cells.
At the same time very few weapons are specifically available for fighting MS neurodegenerative progression.
We report an overview on MS and both old and new therapeutic approaches to the disease.
Total Pages: 3-113 (111)
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