Multiple sclerosis: Therapeutic applications of advancing drug delivery systems

Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Feb:86:343-353. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.010. Epub 2016 Dec 21.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, which is accompanying with demyelination, neurodegeneration and sensibility to oxidative stress. In MS, auto-reactive lymphocytes cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reside in the perivenous demyelinating lesions which create various distinct inflammatory demyelinated plaques situated predominantly in the white matter. The current MS-related therapeutic approaches can be classified into disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and symptomatic therapy. DMTs suppress circulating immune cells, inhibit passing the BBB and decrease the inflammatory responses. Recent advances have remarkably delayed disease development and improved the quality of life for numerous patients. In spite of major improvements in therapeutic options, there are some limitations regarding the routes of administration and the necessity for repeated and long-term dosing in which cause to systemic disadvantageous consequences and patient non-compliance. Nanotechnology presents promising approaches to improve autoimmune disease treatment with the capability to overcome many of the limitations common to the current immunosuppressive and biological therapies. Here we emphasis on nanomedicine-based drug delivery approaches of biological immunomodulatory mediators for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This comprehensive review details the most successful drugs in MS therapy and also focuses on conceptions and clinical potential of novel nanomedicine attitudes for inducing immunosuppression and immunological tolerance in MS to modulate abnormal and pathologic immune responses.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Nanomedicine; Treatment approaches.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / immunology
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / immunology*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Nanomedicine / methods
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents