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Aggressive multiple sclerosis: proposed definition and treatment algorithm

Key Points

  • Patients with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) are at increased risk of rapid accrual of disability and disease progression, so early detection is critical

  • The window of opportunity for treating patients with aggressive MS is narrow, thus, conventional treatment paradigms need to be reconsidered

  • Aggressive disease warrants aggressive treatment

  • Therapeutic agents vary extensively throughout the world in terms of their availability, licensing, usage experience and logistics of implementation

  • Diligent monitoring is crucial for the timely discovery of suboptimal response to therapy

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a CNS disorder characterized by inflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration, and is the most common cause of acquired nontraumatic neurological disability in young adults. The course of the disease varies between individuals: some patients accumulate minimal disability over their lives, whereas others experience a rapidly disabling disease course. This latter subset of patients, whose MS is marked by the rampant progression of disability over a short time period, is often referred to as having 'aggressive' MS. Treatment of patients with aggressive MS is challenging, and optimal strategies have yet to be defined. It is important to identify patients who are at risk of aggressive MS as early as possible and implement an effective treatment strategy. Early intervention might protect patients from irreversible damage and disability, and prevent the development of a secondary progressive course, which thus far lacks effective therapy.

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Figure 1: Proposed treatment algorithm for aggressive MS.

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The authors contributed equally to researching data for the article, writing the article and review and/or editing of the manuscript before submission.

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C.A.R. has acted as a consultant or advisor for Biogen, EMD Serono, Genzyme and Teva. H.J.M. has acted as a consultant or advisor for Biogen and Novartis. M.S.F. has acted as a consultant, advisor or steering-committee member for Actelion, Bayer Healthcare, Biogen, EMD Serono, Genzyme, Novartis, Opexa, Sanofi and Teva. He is a member of Genzyme's speakers' bureau, and has served on a study adjudication committee for Chugai.

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Rush, C., MacLean, H. & Freedman, M. Aggressive multiple sclerosis: proposed definition and treatment algorithm. Nat Rev Neurol 11, 379–389 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2015.85

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