March is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that more than 2.3 million people worldwide have MS, a disease of the central nervous system. In those who have MS, there is inflammation in the central nervous system caused by an abnormal immune system response. Myelin, a sheath that protects nerve fibers, is affected.
MS can take a number of forms. The most common one is relapsing-remitting MS. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, about 85% of those diagnosed with MS are initially diagnosed with this form of the illness. Other forms include primary progressive MS and primary progressive MS.
Treatment options for MS
In the United States, almost 1 million people have MS. While there is no known cure for the disease, there are a number of treatments for it. According to healthline.com, the options include:
- Oral medicines taken daily
- Self-injectable medications
- Intravenous infusion medications
In 2020, there were three new drugs approved by the FDA: ofatumumab (injection), monomethyl fumarate (capsules/oral medicine), and ozanimod (capsules/oral medicine).
According to the MS Society, there are currently nine injectable medications, nine oral medications, and four infused medications on the market in the United States. To see the complete list of medications, please refer to MS Society.
Current state of clinical trials for MS injectables, capsules/oral medications, and infusions
Within Clinical trials in Foundation, we found that there are 87 ongoing clinical trials in phases 1 through 4 for MS injectables. The chart below shows where those trials are taking place.
MS injectables clinical trials in phases 1-4, and the countries where they are taking place.
Within Clinical trials in Foundation, we found that there are also 67 ongoing clinical trials in phases 1 through 4 for capsules.The chart below shows where those trials are taking place.
MS capsules clinical trials in phases 1-4, and the countries where they are taking place.%20for%20capsules%20for%20MS%20and%20where%20they%20are%20taking%20place.png?width=648&name=Clinical%20trials%20(phases%201-4)%20for%20capsules%20for%20MS%20and%20where%20they%20are%20taking%20place.png)
We found that there are also 65 clinical trials in phases 1 through 4 for intravenous infusions for MS.
MS intravenous infusion clinical trials in phases 1-4, and the countries where they are taking place.
There is more and more research being done on MS, and these clinical trials show that there may be more options for treatment coming soon.
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