Corticosteroids for multiple sclerosis: II. Application for disease-modifying effects |
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Authors: | Anjali Shah Eric Eggenberger Robert Zivadinov Olaf Stüve Elliot M Frohman |
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Institution: | (1) Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Division of Neurology, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada |
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Abstract: | Physicians who treat multiple sclerosis (MS) face the challenge of patients exhibiting ongoing disease activity, including
exacerbations, loss of functional capabilities, intellectual decline, and radiologic progression, despite being on a disease-modifying
agent (DMA). After searching for factors that might at least in part explain these changes—such as nonadherent drug-taking
behavior, or the presence of interfer-on-neutralizing antibodies—some providers may ultimately decide to switch the patient
to another DMA. In most circumstances, patients likely derive only partial effects from these agents, even in the absence
of compromising factors. Thus, a number of factors must be considered in order to intensify the treatment regimen in response
to disease progression. In the context of an inadequate treatment response to a DMA, some clinicians will convert the patient
to an alternative therapy, and others will instead use a second agent in combination with the first (the so-called platform
agent). In the first of this two-part series, we explored the use of anti-inflammatory CS and ACTH to treat MS exacerbations.
Although we underscored the limited availability of evidence-based studies to support specific regimens for this purpose,
there is an even greater paucity of data to support the routine use of these agents in order to achieve chronic disease-modifying
effects in those who continue to deteriorate clinically, radiographically, or both. Without doubt, a number of factors influence
the formulation of combination treatment plan for MS. Nevertheless, we will focus on the rationale and practical schemes that
can be considered for using corticosteroids (CS) (and perhaps even ACTH) in an attempt to modify various domains of ongoing
disease activity. |
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