October 2014

Although multiple sclerosis is likely a result of multifactorial influences, there is some evidence that viruses play a role in the disease.

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) often seek information from the Internet. Researchers in Italy interviewed 3 focus groups of patients with MS and 3 focus groups of family members of patients with MS to determine how physicians might improve access to the right type of information.

Although 10 disease-modifying agents are available for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and more than 20 years have elapsed since the approval in the United States of the first traditional injectable agents for RRMS, until 2012 only 6 large head-to-head trials had evaluated these treatments directly.

Last year, Copaxone received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a new 40-mg/mL subcutaneous injection used 3 times weekly, allowing for less frequent administration of the medication than the original 20-mg/mL daily subcutaneous injection.