Among the neurological diseases, multiple sclerosis is the one that in recent years has seen the number of therapeutic options grow the most. And the trend shows no sign of abating. From today, in fact, people with MS will be able to count on siponimod, for which the Italian Medicines Agency has established reimbursement, and in a few months on ofatumumab which has just received the green light from the European Medicines Agency. In the first case, it is the first oral treatment specifically indicated for patients suffering from secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) with disease with signs of activity, a category of patients who until now did not have an effective therapy in delaying the progression of the disease. In the second case of a targeted B-cell treatment indicated for adult patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Over 120,000 people with MS in Italy
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause disruption of signals between the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, leading to a wide range of symptoms including disability. The Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association has estimated that over 126 thousand people with multiple sclerosis live in Italy, mostly women. MS is diagnosed on average between the ages of 20 and 40; they are therefore people who will have to live with the chronic course of the disease for a long time and for whom it is important to undertake an adequate and specific therapeutic path for their form of MS in order to slow down its progression and reduce disability, and thus improve the quality of life.
Multiple sclerosis: when science lets itself be guided even by patients
by Irma D’Aria
“The unsatisfied needs of people with multiple sclerosis concern comprehensive and personalized care, with difficulties in accessing therapies, rehabilitation and aids, but also lack of answers to social, health and social needs, such as work, transport, social participation especially in this particular historical moment – commented Francesco Vacca, National President of AISM Onlus – The availability of new specific therapies for the different forms of disease, which are framed in the scenario of the already existing therapeutic options, therefore has the potential to reduce the significant physical, emotional and financial burden that MS places on people and their families, improving their expectations and quality of life and new prospects for care are the significant result of the great commitment that the community of clinicians and researchers dedicates, together with people with multiple sclerosis, to fight the disease “.
BrainControl, an interface to communicate with the outside world
by Annalisa Bonfranceschi
Slow down the progression towards disability
Multiple sclerosis is usually classified into three forms: primarily progressive (PPMS), relapsing-remitting (SMRR) and SPMS (secondarily progressive), which results from an initial course of RRMS and is characterized by physical and cognitive changes over time. in the presence or absence of relapses, leading to an accumulation of neurological disability. Approximately 85% of patients initially present relapsing forms of the disease and much remains to be done today in terms of treatments that help delay the progression of disability in the secondary progressive form. A new tool is siponimod which has been shown to reduce the risk of confirmed disability progression at three and six months, respectively by 31% and 37% compared to placebo. Significant findings were also noted regarding the annualized relapse rate, MRI disease activity, and brain volume loss. Further exploratory analyzes have shown that siponimod can help patients delay wheelchair use by more than four years on average and also determines an important benefit also on cognitive functions by demonstrating clinically relevant effects on the speed of cognitive processing evaluated through the Symbol Digit. Modalities Test.
Multiple sclerosis: rehabilitation can be done from home
by Letizia Gabaglio
A new possibility for relapsing forms
Ofatumumab, on the other hand, is the first targeted therapy against B lymphocytes that has demonstrated superior efficacy and a safety profile similar to teriflunomide, one of the first-line treatments for MS to date. Studies have shown a reduction in annual relapses of more than 50% compared to teriflunomide and a reduction in the relative risk of 3-month disability progression of greater than 30%. Ofatumumab can also be self-administered once a month directly at home, and is therefore a candidate to become a first choice treatment option for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. After European approval, which follows that of the FDA in the United States, that of the Italian agency is now awaited.
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