It’s time for combination therapies in multiple sclerosis

The treatment of multiple sclerosis continues to evolve. However, even with the introduction of B-cell depleting monoclonal antibodies, disability progression continues unabated since B-cell therapies are unable to cross the blood brain barrier and thus are unable to address the disease that lurks within the brain. In this commentary, the author explores the research and practice of using B-cell depleting monoclonal antibody therapies in MS. The author provides discussion on the blood brain barrier as the primary limitation to the effectiveness of MS therapies. The author briefly reviews the pathophysiological role of B-cells in MS and the implications that B-cell migration to the brain has on MS disease progression and treatment. The author discusses potential drug development strategies for MS that combine blood brain barrier crossing molecules with peripherally acting B-cell depleting monoclonal antibodies.