Multiple sclerosis is considered an autoimmune disease in whichCD4+ T cells and macrophages destroy oligodendrocytes, whichsynthesize and maintain axonal myelin sheaths in the centralnervous system (CNS). This misguided attack results in progressivefocal demyelination that can cause severe neurologic disability.In this issue of the Journal, Kappos et al. (pages 1124–1140)report that the immunosuppressant fingolimod (also called FTY720or 2-amino-2-(2-[4-octylphenyl]ethyl)-1,3-propanediol hydrochloride)exerted considerable therapeutic effects in a small, placebo-controlledclinical trial involving patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.Patients who received oral fingolimod once daily had a rapidreduction in disease activity, reflected in significant reductionsin . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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Dr. Massberg is a research fellow in pathology at Harvard Medical School and at the CBR Institute for Biomedical Research, Boston. Dr. von Andrian is a senior investigator at the CBR Institute for Biomedical Research and a professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, Boston.
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