sphingosine-1-phosphate and Opportunistic-Infections

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system disease in which autoimmune mechanisms are operative. Although it appears that the prognosis of MS has been significantly improved after interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate were introduced in clinic, many patients are still refractory to available medications, and the necessity to develop new treatment options is obvious. Current trend in the drug discovery is to find or make a drug whose molecular target is clearly identified. This is also the case for the development of drugs for MS. Here I review current status in the development of so-called "molecular target drugs" for MS. In general, effects of such drugs well fit to the expected mechanism of action. Although concerns about opportunistic infections including JC virus-mediated progressive multi-focal leukoencephalopathy (PML) have not been dissolved, better clinical and laboratory monitoring of the immune system of the patients may help minimize potential side effects of these drugs.

Topics: Abatacept; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Autoimmunity; Clinical Trials as Topic; Daclizumab; Drug Discovery; Fingolimod Hydrochloride; Humans; Immunoconjugates; Immunoglobulin G; Integrin alpha4beta1; JC Virus; Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal; Ligands; Lysophospholipids; Multiple Sclerosis; Natalizumab; Opportunistic Infections; Propylene Glycols; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Sphingosine; Ustekinumab