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| Changing Therapy in Relapsing MS |
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The selection of drug therapy is critical to the management of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). In this case-based program, three MS experts will review the available treatment options, and present their views on selecting and switching therapies with the goal of achieving...
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Steven L. Galetta, MD
(Program Chair)
Robert J. Fox, MD
Clyde E. Markowitz, MD
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A patient of mine, diagnosed ~6 months ago, has had 4 relapses since with little in the way of sequellae. Looks like what used to be called malignant MS. Initial MRI scan showed seven typical white matter lesions; follow-up last month showed a T2 lesion. Patient is on interferon. What would be an appropriate schedule for steroids? Course with each exaserbation? Start pre-emptive monthly bolus? |
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As described, the patient in question is in the early phase of beginning on interferon therapy. If the patient's clinical and MRI situation indicate an aggressive pattern, a course corticosteroids [ one gram of intravenous methylprednisolone for 3 or 5 days followed by Prednisone taper ] is generally given if there is a current exaserbation.
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The approval of natalizumab for the treatment of MS presents MS-treating physicians and nurses with another therapy in their MS armamentarium. Recently released data from the Phase III natalizumab AFFIRM trial demonstrates a reduction in the risk of exacerbation by 66% in the first year of therapy, presenting a significant improvement over current MS therapies.
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J. Theodore Phillips, MD, PhD (Moderator)
Douglas A. Kerr, MD, PhD
Shirley O'Leary, RN, MSCN
Julie Farace, RN, BSN
Frederick E. Munschauer, MD
Mariko Kita, MD
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The approval of natalizumab for the treatment of MS presents MS-treating physicians and nurses with another therapy in their MS armamentarium. Recently released data from the Phase III natalizumab AFFIRM trial demonstrates a reduction in the risk of exacerbation by 66% in the first year of therapy, presenting a significant improvement over current MS therapies.
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J. Theodore Phillips, MD, PhD (Moderator)
Douglas A. Kerr, MD, PhD
Shirley O'Leary, RN, MSCN
Julie Farace, RN, BSN
Frederick E. Munschauer, MD
Mariko Kita, MD |
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