Long‑term effect of siponimod on MRI outcomes in patients with secondary‑progressive multiple sclerosis
Abstract
Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS) is the second most common form of MS worldwide. While there are various disease-modifying drugs indicated for relapsing-remitting MS, effective treatment for SP-MS was lacking.
Siponimod, a selective modulator of sfingosin-1-phosphate receptors, is the first oral drug to treat SP-MS, which showed a statistically significant decrease in confirmed disability progression in a phase III clinical trial. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a major role in establishing the diagnosis of MS along with being the most important tool for monitoring the course of the disease.
Data from the ongoing open-label extension part of the pivotal trial confirms the beneficial effect of siponimod on MRI outcomes and highlights the importance of earlier specific treatment initiation.