ADVANCING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TREATMENT: UNVEILING PROMISING THERAPEUTIC TARGETS AND THE INTEGRAL ROLE OF MEDICAL REHABILITATION-REVIEW WITH DATA FROM THE LITERATURE.

Aim. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by an autoimmune response that affects the central nervous system, leading to significant disability and posing a substantial burden on healthcare systems. The management of MS has made significant progress in the last thirty years, primarily through the introduction of new disease-modifying therapies that target various mechanisms such as immune modulation, immune cell suppression or depletion, and enhanced immune cell sequestration. The most recent immunotherapies available for multiple sclerosis (such as fingolimod, natalizumab, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, and alemtuzumab) offer improved efficacy or tolerability compared to injectable therapies used in the 1990s. However, they also entail higher risks. With the emergence of additional treatments (such as daclizumab and ocrelizumab), doctors must navigate through a complex range of medications and choose a specific treatment strategy, which may involve an "escalation" or "induction" approach. During treatment, both neurologists and patients need to remain vigilant for signs of disease breakthrough or adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]