Should interferons take front stage as an essential MS disease-modifying therapy in the era of coronavirus disease 2019?

In the unprecedented pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) along with a limited clinical understanding on effective vaccines and therapies, there are currently many unknowns for patients with autoimmune conditions, such as MS, who require ongoing treatment with immunotherapies. As information is currently lacking on the immune effects of COVID-19 in the context of MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), a challenging clinical question being faced by patients and neurologists is whether to continue current DMTs for patients with MS and risk potentially greater morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 infection vs discontinue DMT therapy and risk MS disease relapse. At this time, we desperately need data to guide which DMTs may best treat both COVID-19 and MS.
Source: Neurology Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: All Immunology, All Clinical trials, COVID-19, Multiple sclerosis Clinical/Scientific Notes Source Type: research