Inducing Immune Tolerance in Multiple Sclerosis

Peptide therapy to reduce multiple sclerosis (MS) severity through antigen tolerization is an interesting approach to the disease, as it proposes to target the root of MS without suppressing the immune system. Although the target antigen is presumed to be a myelin component, the exact component is not known. Researchers conducted two open-label, manufacturer-funded studies using an investigational peptide, ATX-MS-1467, in patients with relapsing MS. ATX-MS-1467 consists of four epitopes of myelin basic protein that reduced disease severity in animal models. Participants were aged 18 to 65, had HLA-DRB1*15 positivity, and had recent history of relapses. In the first study, 43 participants received the full dose (intradermally or subcutaneous…