The novel immunomodulatory agent laquinimod appears to reduce disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and could be a promising new treatment for the condition.
A randomized phase IIb trial involving 306 patients found that, compared to patients who took placebo, those who took oral laquinimod (.6 mg daily) had a 40.4 percent reduction in the number of gadolinium enhancing lesions seen on magnetic resonance imaging at weeks 24, 28, 32 and 36. The drug was well tolerated, with a similar adverse event rate to placebo.
The drug is due to undergo further assessment in a phase III clinical trial.
[Lancet 2008 Jun 21;371(9630):2085-92]
