Varese
Dr. Pietro Annovazzi and Dr. Davide Nasuelli, specialists from ASST Valle Olona, will also be among the keynote speakers at the conference scheduled for June 1st
The meeting, organized by the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association based in Varese, it will be held on June 1st from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at the Salone Estense, Via Luigi Sacco 5 in Varese. The President of AISM Varese, Maria Civati, will open the proceedings and introduce the event. This will be followed by speeches by Dr. Annovazzi and Dr. Nasuelli who will present the news regarding new therapeutic possibilities for people with Multiple Sclerosis and an overview of symptomatic drugs. We asked our specialists some questions that shed light on the current state of the art of therapies, research and drugs for Multiple Sclerosis patients.
What are the therapeutic innovations that will be presented at the information event?The main novelty is represented by the evidence that supports a new therapeutic algorithm that involves a more aggressive approach to the disease. It involves using highly effective drugs from the early stages of Multiple Sclerosis, unlike what was the practice until recently, when a progressive increase in therapeutic power was considered only as inflammation levels increased. Among the new drugs already available we have monoclonal antibodies aimed at B lymphocytes, new drugs that modulate sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors, new subcutaneous formulations of already existing drugs, but so far administered intravenously, as well as the arrival of generics and biosimilars of therapies already in use. There are also other compounds, called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which are currently being tested and which it is hoped will be available from next year.
How will they positively impact patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis?
New therapies, in particular monoclonal antibodies, guarantee an almost complete suppression of inflammatory activity, reaching up to a 95% reduction in the formation of new lesions. From a practical point of view, this translates into a reduced risk of accumulation of disability and a reduced possibility of conversion of the disease to a secondary progressive phase, which irreversibly impacts the quality of life of people with Multiple Sclerosis. A further advantage, represented by the availability of different formulations of the various drugs, will be the possibility of tailoring the therapy even more specifically for the patient, respecting the practical needs of the person with Multiple Sclerosis in terms of managing side effects and the burden of therapy . Finally, the advent of generics and biosimilars could represent savings for the community in terms of pharmaceutical spending, possibly allowing resources to be freed up for other areas.
What are the new drugs and any news regarding the progress achieved by scientific research? In Italy, also thanks to the joint work with AISM in the creation of a disease registry, we have achieved notable results in understanding the best approach to patients with Multiple Sclerosis. This has translated into publications in prestigious international scientific journals, which have influenced the management of the disease globally. We understood the crucial role of the use of high-potency therapies from the beginning, but also the importance of continuous immunomodulatory treatment in preventing the accumulation of disability and the relevance of the continuous rehabilitation approach for patients in whom such disability develops. unfortunately it is already consolidated.
