Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Patient Impact and Coverage Implications for New Therapies

Fred Lublin, MD, says it's possible health professionals can develop some biomarkers and find some differences in advanced MRI metrics in finding Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Thomas P. Leist, MD, PhD, discusses secondary progressive MS, more specifically how very early control of the disease gives the patient the best chance for long term stability and gives the patient, the best chance of not entering the secondary state.

Thomas P. Leist, MD, PhD, says doctors working with patients diagnosed with SPMS don't necessarily have prognostic biomarkers to detect SPMS. The best prognostic biomarkers they have currently are MRI and potentially neurofilament light. He adds their techniques need to improve in order to harness the full benefit of potentially individualizing care to the most optimal fashion in a given patient.

Thomas P. Leist, MD, PhD, explains that there is no such thing as "one size fits all" for patients with SPMS. Patients can be impacted differently based on how they present themselves and how they behave.

Fred Lublin, MD, says a new labeling indication of Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis broadens whom you can treat. He adds this will be very helpful to patients because it will treat groups that are progressing slowly without agents of activity.

Thomas P. Leist, MD, PhD, says one of the things secondary progressive multiple sclerosis professionals struggle with is making the most effective treatment available to patients, very early on, most likely due to financial reasons.