Experimental neurology
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Experimental neurology · Dec 2014
ReviewLaquinimod, an up-and-coming immunomodulatory agent for treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Laquinimod is a novel oral drug that is currently being evaluated for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Although the mode of action of laquinimod remains to be fully elucidated, current knowledge indicates that laquinimod exerts beneficial activities both on the peripheral immune system and within the central nervous system (CNS). The immunomodulatory properties have been deciphered primarily from studies of laquinimod in the animal model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). ⋯ Results from clinical trials that tested laquinimod in RRMS demonstrated that it reduced relapse rate and the mean cumulative number of active lesions, and had a more marked reduction in disability progression than relapse rate. Laquinimod treatment was associated with an excellent safety and tolerability profile. These data indicate that laquinimod will offer a valuable new treatment option for RRMS patients.
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Teriflunomide (Aubagio®) is a once-daily oral immunomodulatory disease modifying therapy (DMT) presently approved in several regions, including Europe, North America, Latin America and Australia, for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS; RRMS). The therapeutic mode of action of teriflunomide in MS continues to be investigated. This review summarizes the main efficacy and safety results of the clinical trial program leading to teriflunomide's approval, highlights a number of practical clinical considerations, and overviews its presumed therapeutic mode of action (MOA) based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic observations and the growing body of teriflunomide-related in vitro, pre-clinical (animal model), and in vivo human studies.