The Immunological Therapeutic Strategies for Controlling Multiple Sclerosis: Considerations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Biomolecules. 2021 Sep 17;11(9):1372. doi: 10.3390/biom11091372.

Abstract

A growing body of evidence initially suggested that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) might be more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Moreover, it was speculated that patients with MS treated with immunosuppressive drugs might be at risk to develop a severe diseases course after infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV2). However, the recently published data have shown that MS patients do not have a higher risk for severe COVID-19. Although there is no indication that patients with MS and immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive therapy are generally at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, it is currently being emphasized that the hazards of poorly treated MS may outweigh the putative COVID-19 dangers. In this review, we discuss the challenges and considerations for MS patients in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; disease-modifying therapies (DMTs); multiple sclerosis (MS).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / therapy
  • Pandemics*
  • SARS-CoV-2*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents