Background: Several disease modifying treatments (DMT) are licensed for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Current first line DMT (interferon beta and glatiramer acetate), require frequent injections, and discontinuation rates are high. Also, not all patients show adequate disease control with these agents. These aspects underline the need for agents that are less invasive which may improve adherence and patient satisfaction. Furthermore, agents with alternative modes of action may also improve disease control.
Discussion: This review introduces promising new agents that are currently under investigation for the treatment of RRMS in phase II/III trials. Oral drugs with distinct modes of action are reviewed in the first part while the second part focuses on new monoclonal antibodies. The introduction of some of these new agents may have important implications for current treatment algorithms.