Novel treatment

Abstract

Novel therapeutic drug for neuroimmune diseases has appeared in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Fingolimod is the first oral drug as disease-modifying drug (DMD) for MS. It has higher efficacy than IFNβ however its side effects should be noted. Natalizumab is the first molecular target drug for MS. Although the effect of preventing the recurrence is high, since the serious side effects such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy have been reported, it should be used by considering risk and benefits. Dimethyl fumarate is an oral drug that has been used as an anti-psoriatic agent in Germany. It has begun treatment for MS. Alemtuzumab is a molecular targeted drug against CD52; it has been applied to the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Alemtuzumab is one of the drugs having the strongest effects as the DMD of MS; it has many side effects such as thyroid dysfunction. The new treatment attempts using molecular targeted agents have begun for NNO. Tocilizumab and eculizumab are both molecular targeted drugs and are used for other diseases. These agents have begun to apply for refractory NMO in some countries. Since there is no data for long-term use, it is necessary to pay attention to the adverse events.