Emerging oral therapies for multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Current disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) have positively affected the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS); however, the requirement for long-term injections imposes a burden on patients and may lead to reduced adherence in some cases. Furthermore, not all patients respond adequately to current DMDs, suggesting that certain patients require different therapeutic approaches. Therefore, alternative MS treatments with less invasive routes of administration and new modes of action are needed to expand the current treatment repertoire, increase patient satisfaction and adherence, and thereby improve efficacy. DISCUSSION: This review discusses the current unmet need for an orally administered treatment for RRMS, including potential benefits of this route of administration, and implications for improved treatment outcomes. Oral drugs that are currently in Phase II/III clinical development are discussed.