Recent studies indicate that relapsing-remitting subtype is the most common form of multiple sclerosis in Poland and that monoclonal antibodies appear to be an important option for patients not responding to first-line therapy with interferon beta or glatiramer acetate. The aim of such an immunomodulating therapy is to arrest progression of disease at its early phase, when inflammation predominates over neurodegeneration, i.e. at the time when chances for a therapeutic success are maximal, at least in theory. Currently available monoclonal antibodies, e.g. natalizumab, daclizumab, alemtuzumab and rituximab which inhibit immune cells, significantly reduce the size and number of lesions visualized by magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, by decreasing severity and frequency of relapses, they have a favourable effect on the patients’ clinical condition. The only exception is ustekinumab, which proved ineffective in this setting.Decision to start second-line drugs – in SM this means monoclonal antibodies – should be based on the patient’s general condition and coexisting diseases. In Poland only one antibody – natalizumab (Tysabri) has been registered in this indication, while the others are currently at the phase of clinical trials. Recently published data indicate that sometimes their use (natalizumab, rituximab) may have serious adverse effects, particularly development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Use of alemtuzumab is associated with a high risk of autoimmune disorders, mainly of the thyroid. The aim of this article is a review of currently published clinical trials concerning the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of relapsing-remitting subtype of multiple sclerosis, with a special emphasis on their adverse effects.

multiple sclerosis, epidemiology, monoclonal antibody, natalizumab, daclizumab, alemtuzumab, rituximab, ustekinumab, therapeutic efficacy, side effects