Lipitor and laquinimod: oral immune modulators make news.

Lipitor (atorvastatin, from Pfizer), which is FDA-approved for people with high cholesterol, is currently under study in 152 people at high risk for definite MS. The results of this 18-month study should be available in 2008.

An early trial of the immune-modulator laquinimod (sponsored by Active Biotech) was well-tolerated in 209 people with relapsing MS. A higher dose of the drug was associated with less myelin damage. Teva Neuroscience, which acquired laquinimod in 2005, is currently planning a phase 3 trial.

A matter of time

John Richert, MD, vice president of Research & Clinical Programs for the Society, believes an MS pill is simply a matter of time. "However, assuming that the data are positive--it will probably be several years before such medications would be available," he said.