The Development of the Combination Drug Leukovir® Tablets for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Review

Curr Drug Targets. 2023;24(16):1271-1281. doi: 10.2174/0113894501272301231124074141.

Abstract

The review is devoted to the development and study of the drug Leukovir® (cladribine+ ribavirin) and its use in the treatment of relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurodegenerative disease aiming the risk reduction of relapse and progression of a disability. In clinical trials Leukovir® has proved to be efficient by up to 56 weeks for the treatment of relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. The drug is registered in the Republic of Belarus. The efficacy, safety and tolerability profile of the drug Leukovir® suggests that it is well suited for disease-modifying therapy of multiple sclerosis. Patients require four 35-day courses of treatment, each consisting of seven days of treatment followed by a break of 28 days. The use of Leukovir® has contributed to the suppression of inflammatory process activity according to MRI data and stabilization of the clinical condition. It has reduced the number of relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: DMTs; Leukovir®; cladribine; clinical trial.; enteric-coated tablets; multiple sclerosis; ribavirin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / chemically induced
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Tablets / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tablets