Siponimod in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Siponimod in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2019 Oct 11;: Authors: Goodman A, Anadani N, Gerwitz L Abstract Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes focal lesions of immune-mediated demyelinating events followed by slow progressive accumulation of disability. Over the past 2 decades, multiple medications have been studied and approved for use in MS. Most of these agents work by modulating or suppressing the peripheral immune system. Siponimod is a newer-generation sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator which internalizes S1P1 receptors thereby inhibiting efflux of lymphocytes from lymph nodes and thymus. There are promising data suggesting that it may also have a direct neuroprotective property independent of peripheral lymphocytopenia. Areas covered: We reviewed the pharmacology and the clinical and radiological effects of siponimod. Expert opinion: The selective effect of siponimod on the S1P1 and S1P5 receptors offers a favorable side-effect profile and transient bradycardia can be avoided by dose titration. A phase-II study showed that siponomod has dose-dependent beneficial effects in patients with relapsing remitting disease. The results of a phase-III study suggest that siponimod may be beneficial in secondary progressive MS, at least in patients with disease activity. PMID: 31603362 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Expert Opin Investig Drugs Source Type: research