Ibudilast for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by inflammatory demyelination and progressive axonal loss. Clinically, this is manifest as relapsing and remitting neurological symptoms and progressive accumulation of disability. Ibudilast is a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor which works by blocking the cleavage of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). It has been found to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in animal studies and in-vitro studies; it is currently being studied in progressive MS.

Areas covered: This article reviews various studies looking at ibudilast as a potential therapy for MS. It summarizes prior and current clinical trials of ibudilast in MS as well as its pharmacology.

Expert opinion: Although ibudilast has not been found to decrease the focal inflammatory activity in relapsing MS, it was shown to have an effect on preserving brain volume and disability progression. Ibudilast may have a role in the treatment of progressive MS phenotypes.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple sclerosis
• cerebral atrophy
• experimental therapy
• neurodegeneration

Declaration of interest

AD Goodman is a member of the protocol steering committee for the NIH funded SPRINT-MS study of ibudilast for progressive multiple sclerosis. 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.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.