Clinical markers of therapeutic response to disease modifying drugs

Neurol Sci. 2008 Sep:29 Suppl 2:S211-3. doi: 10.1007/s10072-008-0939-9.

Abstract

Interferon beta (IFNbeta) and glatiramer acetate (GA) showed a relevant impact in modifying the clinical course of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, not all treated patients experience a satisfied response to therapy in terms of suppression of relapse and slowing disability progression.At the present time none of the proposed criteria of response to disease modifying therapies (DMTs) have been validated. Clinical parameters, such as relapse rate and disability progression assessing with EDSS scale, may represent two useful indicators of therapeutic response, but their value in predicting the long-term response to DMTs is weak.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disease Progression
  • Glatiramer Acetate
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-beta / pharmacology*
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Time

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Peptides
  • Glatiramer Acetate
  • Interferon-beta