Multiple Sclerosis Therapies

Treatments for MS focus on controlling the immune system and managing symptoms. The current goals for MS care are to reduce the frequency of relapses and to slow the progression of the disease by using a drug therapy approach called disease modifying treatments (DMTs). It is also important for people to work with their Health Care Providers to find the best approach to address MS symptoms like extreme fatigue, bladder problems and muscle spasms. MS symptoms can be managed with conventional medication, complementary and alternative medicine, physical therapy, mobility devices, and other self-care approaches. At this time, there is no cure for MS, but research continues to make great advancement in the understanding and treatment of this disease. Through the VA, Veterans have access to a multi-disciplinary team approach to treat MS.

The Multiple Sclerosis Emerging Therapies Collaborative is committed to developing and disseminating timely, evidence-based resources to persons affected by multiple sclerosis and health care professionals, in order to promote optimal, individualized treatment of the disease by facilitating effective communication and medical decision-making.

For more information visit their website at
http://www.ms-coalition.org/emergingtherapies

Articles

James Bowen, MD
MS Center at Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
Dennis Bourdette, MD
Portland VA Medical Center, Oregon Health and Science University

Making the Decision to Use DMTs for Multiple Sclerosis

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

John Rose, MD, Chief of Neurology

VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT

Multiple Sclerosis Treatments for Acute Attacks (Relapses)
Marsha L Tarver, PhD
VA Puget Sound Health Care System – Seattle

Corticosteroids and Plasma Exchange Treatments for MS Acute Attacks

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

How to Prescribe Disease Modifying Therapies

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

How to Prescribe Interferon Beta-1b: Extavia ®

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

James Bowen, MD, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA

Mitoxantrone Articles

Monitoring for Cardiotoxicity in Patients with MS Post-Mitoxantrone Therapy: An Update
Mitchell Wallin MD, MPH, Washington, DC VA Medical Center
Ruth Whitham MD, Portland VA Medical Center
Kathy Tortorice, Pharm D, Pharmacy Benefits Management, Hines VA Medical Center

Natalizumab Articles

Natalizumab and Potential Risks: An Update

Mitchell Wallin, MD, MPH, VA MSCoE-East, Washington, DC VA Medical Center
Ruth Whitham, MD, VA MSCoE-West, Portland VA Medical Center

Natalizumab and Hepatotoxicity with Multiple Sclerosis

Mitchell Wallin, MD, MPH, VA MSCoE-East, Washington, DC VA Medical Center
Ruth Whitham, MD, VA MSCoE-West, Portland VA Medical Center

Natalizumab and Risk of PML

Mitchell Wallin, MD, MPH, VA MSCoE-East, Washington, DC VA Medical Center
Ruth Whitham, MD, VA MSCoE-West, Portland VA Medical Center
Kathryn Tortorice, Pharm D, BCPS, VA Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, PBM- Strategic Healthcare Group, Hines, Il

Natalizumab (Tysabri®) and VA Healthcare Providers
Robert Shin, MD, Mitchell Wallin, MD, M.P.H. and Christopher T. Bever, Jr., MD—MS Center of Excellence, East—VA Medical Centers, Baltimore and Washington DC

Reintroduction of Natalizumab (Tysabri®) for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Robert Shin, MD
Baltimore VA Medical Center

VA Requirements for Natalizumab (TYSABRI®)
Kathy Tortorice, Pharm D, BCPS, VA Medical Center, Hines, IL
and MSCoE

NEJM: Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy after Natalizumab Monotherapy
Hans Lindä, MD, PhD, Anders von Heijne, MD, Eugene O. Major, PhD, Caroline Ryschkewitsch, BS, Johan Berg, MD, Tomas Olsson, MD, PhD, and Claes Martin, MD, PhD.

NEJM: Treatment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Associated with Natalizumab
Werner Wenning, MD, Aiden Haghikia, MD, Jörg Laubengerger, MD, David B. Clifford, MD, Peter F. Behrens, MD, Andrew Chan, MD, and Ralf Gold, MD

NEJM: Reemergence of PML in Natalizumab-Treated Patients – New Cases, Same Concerns
Eugene O. Major, PhD*