Advance in new oral drugs for multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and represents one of the most common causes of chronic neurologic disability. Until recently, major treatments have relied on agents by injection which can induce injection ⁃related adverse events. The parenteral route of administration may affect the compliance with therapy in multiple sclerosis. Therefore, there is a need for the development of oral agents. The research of five oral drugs (cladribine, fingolimod, teriflunomide, laquinimod and dimethyl fumarate), is carrying out in Phase Ⅲ study. In this article, we review the undergoing clinical trials of these five oral agents.

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2012.02.011