Teriflunomide for oral therapy in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Teriflunomide, the active metabolite of an approved antirheumatic drug, is an emerging oral therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS). Next to the inhibition of pyrimidine biosynthesis and proliferation of activated lymphocytes, it seems to have multiple anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. Phase II and III clinical trials in relapsing MS demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability of the drug, as well as clinical efficacy, with a significant reduction of relapse rate, comparable with those of the available injectable immunomodulatory agents. While multiple other studies with teriflunomide are currently ongoing, its exact place in future treatment algorithms for MS is difficult to predict. It may be a good alternative for patients wishing to have an oral treatment with relatively large data regarding long-term safety.

Keywords::

• efficacy
• multiple sclerosis
• oral treatment
• teriflunomide

Financial & competing interests disclosure

A Papadopoulou has consulted for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. T Sprenger has consulted for Eli Lilly, Allergan, Mitsubishi Pharma, Genzyme and Biogen Idec. He received reimbursement for travel expenses or lectures from Janssen, Pfizer, Bayer Schering Pharma, Eli Lilly and Biogen. The University Hospital Basel as an employer of L Kappos has received and dedicated to research support fees for board membership, consultancy or speaking, or grants in the last 3 years from: Actelion, Advancell, Allozyne, Bayer, Bayhill, Biogen Idec, BioMarin, CSL Behring, Eli Lilly, European Union, Genmab, GeNeuro SA, Gianni Rubatto Foundation, Glenmark, Merck Serono, MediciNova, Mitsubishi Pharma, Novartis, Novartis Research Foundation, Novonordisk, Peptimmune, Roche, Roche Research Foundation, Santhera, Sanofi Aventis, Swiss MS Society, Swiss National Research Foundation, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Union Chimique Belge and Wyeth. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.