Since disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) were first approved to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), people with the condition have shared their personal experiences and thoughts about how well the drugs work. “I always feel better post-DMT treatment,” one MyMSTeam member said. Another replied, “Lowering stress, changing my diet, and finding a good DMT helped me cut my relapses.”

Not everyone responds to DMTs in the same way, so it can be helpful to understand the range of experiences. To learn more, MyMSTeam surveyed more than 1,200 members about their experiences with DMTs. Read on to learn more about how DMTs are approved, how their effectiveness is measured, and what members have said about their experiences with MS treatment.

How Are Disease-Modifying Therapies Approved To Treat MS?

Disease-modifying treatments get their name because they change how the immune system works. These changes can help reduce MS flare-ups, and some may slow disease progression (how fast MS gets worse).

More than 20 DMTs are approved to treat different types of multiple sclerosis. Most are approved for relapsing forms of MS, such as clinically isolated syndrome and relapsing-remitting MS. Many are also approved to treat active secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves DMTs after they go through three phases of clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies that test how safe and effective a drug is.

Sometimes, the FDA uses faster review processes to approve promising DMTs more quickly. These special pathways may be used if a drug is much better than existing treatments or is the first of its kind.

For example, one DMT was labeled a “breakthrough therapy” to treat relapsing MS in children and teens over age 10. Study results showed the drug was more effective than available therapies.

Clinical trials for DMTs typically look at how well the treatment:

• Slows disease progression, using MRI scans to check for lesions in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
• Affects disability levels over time
• Reduces the relapse rate (number of MS relapses in a certain time frame)

How Is Effectiveness Measured in DMT Studies?

When a study starts, researchers collect baseline data, which includes initial MRI scans and disability tests to see how active a person’s MS is. Throughout the study, participants get follow-up scans and testing to track changes. Researchers compare these results with the baseline to see how well the investigational drug works compared to a control (such as a placebo or another treatment).

During and after a clinical trial, neurology researchers carefully review the data. They look for meaningful improvements in outcomes, such as fewer relapses or slower disability progression. If the investigational DMT appears safe and offers more benefits than risks, it may move closer to FDA approval.

Most drugs tested never make it that far. Many fail to show strong enough results or have safety concerns. For every 100 drugs that go into phase 1 trials, only about 70 move to phase 2, and just 33 advance to phase 3.

What Do People With MS Say About Disease-Modifying Therapies?

In a survey of 1,294 MyMSTeam members, about 60 percent said they were currently using a DMT. They shared their hopes, the benefits they’ve experienced, and the impact of DMT treatment on their quality of life.

Goals of MS Treatment

Survey participants highlighted their main treatment goals:

• Sixty-one percent wanted to slow disease progression.
• Forty-seven percent aimed to improve mobility.
• Forty-two percent hoped to prevent new MS symptoms.

Benefits of DMT Treatment

Among members currently taking a DMT, 68 percent said it helped slow the progression of their MS. About 56 percent reported that their treatment helped prevent new lesions, and 48 percent said they experienced fewer relapses.

Only 7 percent of respondents said they didn’t notice any benefits from using a DMT.

Slower Disease Progression and Better Quality of Life

MyMSTeam members shared different ways they noticed DMTs working for them. Many reported improvements in how they felt and how easily they could manage their treatment. Some members said their MS symptoms were reduced, and others mentioned that the drugs were simple to take and didn’t cause side effects.

To check if a DMT is working for you, your neurologist may order MRI scans and review your relapse history. They’ll also ask you about your symptoms, side effects, and changes in quality of life.

DMT Side Effects

MyMSTeam members also shared information about their experiences with side effects from their DMTs. Most said they either had no side effects or found them to be tolerable. Only about 2 percent of survey participants said their DMT was either not very or not at all tolerable.

Communicate Openly With Your Neurologist

Managing MS involves a long-term partnership between you and your neurologist and other healthcare providers over the years. Together, you can choose the right MS treatment and determine how well it’s working as your needs change over time — whether due to aging, shifts in your overall health, family planning, or other life changes.

Don’t hesitate to raise concerns and ask questions about the potential benefits and risks of your current DMT and how it compares to other treatment options. Open communication helps ensure your treatment stays right for you.

Meet Others Who Understand

MyMSTeam is the social network for people with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones. On MyMSTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with MS.

Have you tried a DMT for multiple sclerosis? How was your experience? Share your questions and experiences in the comments below, or start a conversation in Activities.