Kappos, Ludwig

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J Neurol (2004) 251 [Suppl 4] : IV/1DOI 10.1007/s00415-004-1401-4Ludwig Kappos New aspects in the treatment of multiplesclerosis with interferon beta-1bIntroductionIn the decade since the first approval of interferon beta-1b (Betaferon®) for relapsing-remitting (RR) multiplesclerosis (MS), considerable progress has been made inunderstanding the pathological mechanisms underly-ing MS and developing strategies to maximise the effi-cacy of existing therapies. The papers presented in thissupplement represent much of the current thinking inthe field of MS,as presented at a 1-day meeting in Viennain March 2002.The purpose of the meeting,entitled NewAspects in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis withBetaferon®, was to discuss the current status of MS re-search and treatment and highlight some of the existingchallenges for future MS diagnosis and disease manage-ment.The present thinking on the pathogenetic mecha-nisms responsible for tissue damage is outlined, as arethe latest developments in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) techniques. The development of new MRI tech-niques addresses the need for better, more clinically rel-evant outcome measures, and has already increased ourunderstanding of MS pathology and improved diagno-sis. In terms of treatment, the data suggesting that treat-ing patients after the first clinical event (clinically iso-lated syndrome) can produce some benefit arereviewed, as are outstanding questions, such as the long-term effects of early treatment, and early high-dose fre-quent interferon beta therapy – questions that are to beaddressed by the BENEFIT (BEtaferon in Newly Emerg-ing multiple sclerosis For Initial Treatment) study. Fi-nally, the important role of neurorehabilitation and itseffects on quality of life are discussed.While there are still many unanswered questions inMS therapy, the progress to date gives cause for opti-mism that current basic research and clinical trials willprovide greater benefits for patients in the future.JON 1401Professor Ludwig Kappos ()Outpatient Clinic Neurology-NeurosurgeryUniversity HospitalsKantonsspitalPetersgraben 44031 Basel, SwitzerlandTel.: +41-61/265-4193Fax: +41-61/265-4100E-Mail: lkappos@uhbs.ch001_001_Kappos_1401_JONS_4_04  08.09.2004  07:55 Uhr  Seite 1

New aspects in the treatment of multiple sclerosis with interferon beta-1b

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New aspects in the treatment of multiple sclerosis with interferon beta-1b

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