Precision medicine in the multiple sclerosis clinic: Selecting the right patient for the right treatment. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bose, Gauruv; Freedman, Mark S
• Other Names: Chitnis Tanuja guest-editor.; Prat Alexandre guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 26:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 540
• Page End: 547
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- precision medicine -- patient-centered care -- neurology; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458519887324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), affecting patients of all ages, causing neurologic disability if inadequately treated. Some patients have a relatively benign disease course without significant disability after decades, while a more aggressive course ensues in others and disability progression occurs after only several years. Certain risk factors confer a higher chance of a patient having aggressive MS. Currently over 15 disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) are approved for MS with different efficacy and safety profiles. Deciding which DMT to use in a specific patient requires a careful analysis of a patient's disease course for high-risk factors for early progression, consideration of the efficacy and safety profile for potential therapy, as well as understanding of a patient's lifestyle and expectations. The integration of these factors is the art of precision medicine, a necessary practice in the treatment of patients with MS.