New MS oral treatment improves symptoms
Novartis has reported new phase II results of FTY720 that show a sustained reduction in relapses and inflammation in multiple sclerosis patients over a two year period.

New phase II data presented demonstrated that up to 77% of patients taking once-daily oral FTY720 remained free of relapses over two years. They also maintained a low rate of inflammatory disease.

New preclinical data also suggested that FTY720 may work through multiple modes of action. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, preclinical data suggest that FTY720 may have the potential to reduce neurodegeneration and enhance repair of the central nervous system.

FTY720, the first oral sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1P-R) modulator, may represent a new approach to the treatment of MS through its unique mode of action.

In MS, inflammatory lymphocytes (T-cells) are believed to be responsible for the destruction of the protective myelin coating, which surrounds the nerves in key areas of the brain and spinal cord. This destruction hinders the ability of nerves to send electrical signals, resulting in problems with muscle movement, coordination, balance and cognition.

FTY720 binds to the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1) on circulating lymphocytes and reversibly traps a proportion of them in the lymph nodes. As a result, FTY720 lowers the number of activated T-cells circulating in the bloodstream and central nervous system.

FTY720 has been developed by Novartis and licensed from Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation.