[Biological treatment of multiple sclerosis]

Abstract

In 1996 interferon (IFN)beta was the first biopharmaceutical product to be approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). In 2006 the more potent monoclonal antibody natalizumab was approved. Presently, a number of monoclonal antibodies are being studied, including alemtuzumab, daclizumab and rituximab, which have all shown promising results. However, the monoclonal antibodies generally have a less favourable safety profile and are more expensive than the currently used first-line therapies, IFNb and glatiramer acetate.