• The 4 Types of MS
• The Importance of Early Treatment
• How Is MS Treated?

Before being officially diagnosed with MS, patients usually experience a first neurologic event suggestive of MS, defined as Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). It lasts for at least 24 hours with symptoms and signs indicating either a single lesion (monofocal) or more than one lesion (multifocal) within the central nervous system.¹

There are 4 types of MS. They're named according to the way the disease acts on the body over time.²

The 4 Types of MS

• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). This is the most common form of multiple sclerosis. About 75% to 85% of people with MS are initially diagnosed with RRMS. People with RRMS have temporary periods called relapses, flare-ups or exacerbations, when new symptoms appear. Relapses typically last a few days or weeks. At other times, the symptoms seem to disappear and this is called a remission; however, MS is still active and can progress. Damage to nerves can still occur even though there are no symptoms²
• Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS). In SPMS, symptoms worsen more steadily over time, with or without the occurrence of relapses and remissions. Before disease-modifying therapies became available, historical studies indicated that about 50% of people with RRMS progressed to SPMS approximately 10 years after their first diagnosis. Long-term data are not yet available to determine if treatment significantly delays this transition²
• Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS). This type of MS is not very common, occurring in about 10% of people with MS. PPMS is characterized by slowly worsening symptoms from the beginning, with no relapses or remissions²
• Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS). A rare form of MS (5%), PRMS is characterized by a steadily worsening disease state from the beginning, with acute relapses but no remissions, with or without recovery²

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The Importance of Early Treatment

If you are diagnosed with MS or a first-time MS event, you should consider talking about starting treatment as soon as possible with your healthcare team. Researchers have found that MS often causes more damage in the first year than in later years.³

Learn more about the symptoms and diagnosis of MS.

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How Is MS Treated?

Currently, there is no cure for MS. However there are two main ways that therapies can treat MS: immunomodulation and immunosuppression.

Immunomodulating therapies

Although it is not completely clear how these therapies exactly work, it is believed that they have predominantly immunomodulating properties. With MS, immune cells—cells that play crucial roles in our natural defense system to fight infectious agents—can malfunction and start attacking our own healthy nerve cells. The immunomodulating properties of these therapies lead to a reduction of malfunctioning immune cells by regulating their activation. Additionally, the natural barrier between the blood circulation and the brain, the so-called “blood-brain barrier,” is believed to become less permeable. The barrier lets fewer immune cells pass into the brain where they could cause harm by attacking the healthy nerve tissue.

Immunosuppressive therapies

Although there is no universally accepted definition, these agents are generally associated with a decrease in the number of circulating immune cells. Immune cells—cells that play crucial roles in our natural defense system to fight infectious agents—can malfunction in MS and start attacking our own healthy nerve cells. The immunosuppressant properties of these therapies lead to a reduction of the malfunctioning immune cells in the blood circulation that potentially could cause harm to nerve cells. As a downside, the number of well-functioning immune cells is reduced as well. These cells are important to protect the body from the potentially harmful influences of infectious agents.

MS Treatment Options

There are various MS treatment options available today that have been shown to decrease the frequency of relapses and to delay disease progression. Some treatments use an injection—either subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (into the muscle)—while others are given intravenously⁴ (via an infusion) or orally.

• Beta interferons are used for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. Certain beta interferon products also may be used for a first clinical episode if MRI findings consistent with MS are also seen
• Glatiramer acetate is used for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. It is also used for patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI findings consistent with MS
• Fingolimod is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations and to delay the accumulation of physical disability
• Mitoxantrone, a chemotherapeutic agent, is reserved for patients with rapidly progressing MS and not responding adequately to first-line therapies (eg, beta interferons/glatiramer acetate)
• Natalizumab is reserved for patients with rapidly progressing MS or with high disease activity despite interferon/glatiramer acetate

MS is a chronic disease which requires treatment for a long period of time. Carefully outlining factors of treatment that are important to you is therefore essential. Don’t hesitate to ask your physician any questions you have about your therapy and which treatment option may be right for you.

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