The Scientific Program - Multiple Sclerosis

Friday April 05, 2019 |
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Hall A |
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07:30-08:30 |
Meet the Experts Session – Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (in Potsdam)
Integrating Cladribine Tablets into clinical practice Mark Freedman, Canada & Celia Oreja-Guevara, Spain |
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08:40-10:20 |
SESSION 5 | MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS): DIAGNOSIS |
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Chairpersons: |
Anastasios Orologas, Greece & Manuel Seijo-Martinez, Spain |
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08:40-09:30 |
Will neurofilament (NF) serum levels be the gold standard for monitoring MS progression, replacing MRI? Capsule: Neurofilaments (NFLs) belong to the intermediate filament proteins family and are the major components of the cytoskeleton of neurons. Recent data suggest that NFL may be used as a prognostic factor to monitor disease progression, disease activity and treatment efficacy. |
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08:40-08:50 |
Host: Laszlo Vecsei, Hungary |
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08:50-09:05 |
Yes: Georgina Arrambide, Spain |
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09:05-09:20 |
No: Friedemann Paul. Germany |
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09:20-09:30 |
Discussions and rebuttals |
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09:30-10:20 |
Evoked potentials (EP’s) still have a role in diagnosing MS and monitoring disease progression. Capsule: EP’s have been used for a long time as electrophysiological diagnostic biomarkers for MS diagnosis but also recently considered beneficial as biomarkers for monitoring disease course & progression. However, MRI’s are still considered more sensitive surrogate measures than EP’s for diagnosis and monitoring MS. Newer interventions on remyelination showed benefit of EP’s on outcomes but did not support a clear improvement as measured with standard clinical outcomes. Should EP’s be considered as surrogate measures for diagnosis and monitoring MS disease course? |
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09:30-09:40 |
Host: Jera Kruja, Albania |
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09:40-09:55 |
Pro: Letizia Leocani, Italy |
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09:55-10:10 |
Con: Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, USA |
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10:10-10:20 |
Discussion and rebuttals |
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10:20-10:35 |
Coffee Break |
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10:35-12:15 |
SESSION 6 | MS IN AGING: MS PATHOGENESIS |
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Chairpersons: |
Oded Abramsky, Israel, & Ranko Raicevic, Serbia |
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10:35-11:25 |
Is immunosenescence a factor to be considered in treating patients older than 50? |
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10:35-10:45 |
Host: Heinz Wiendl, Germany |
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10:45-11:00 |
Yes: Mark Freedman, Canada |
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11:00-11:15 |
No: Joab Chapman, Israel |
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11:15-11:25 |
Discussions and rebuttals |
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11:25-12:15 |
Does primary progressive MS have the same immunopathogenesis as RR/SPMS? |
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11:25-11:35 |
Host: Ralf Linker, Germany |
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11:35-11:50 |
Yes: Dimitrios Karussis, Israel |
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11:50-12:05 |
No: Jacek Losy, Poland |
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12:05-12:15 |
Discussions and rebuttals |
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12:15-13:15 |
Industry Sponsored Symposium (Not for CME) |
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13:15-14:05 |
Lunch Break |
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13:15-14:15 |
Meet the Expert- Epilepsy (Potsdam) |
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13:15-14:15 |
Meet the Expert- Alzheimer (Baden) |
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14:05-15:45 |
SESSION 7 | MS THERAPY 1 |
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Chairpersons: |
Maria Inmaculada Dominguez-Mozo, Spain & M. Comabella, Spain & Anas Jouhar, Syria |
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14:05-14:55 |
Should therapy be initiated in clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) cases not having oligoclonal bands (OCB)? Capsule: Reintroduction into MS diagnostic criteria OCB of CSF allows to predict a second clinical attack following a CIS in patients with MRI evidence of dissemination in space and now allows a diagnosis of MS, even without dissemination in time on MRI or a second attack. Due to this, it becomes possible to prescribe early DMT to patients with CIS. It remains an open question about the necessity of such treatment for patients with CIS without the presence of OCB in their cerebrospinal fluid. |
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14:05-14:15 |
Host: Larysa Sokolova, Ukraine |
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14:15-14:30 |
Yes: Klaus Schmierer, UK |
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14:30-14:45 |
No: Marcin Mycko, Poland |
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14:45:14:55 |
Discussions and rebuttals |
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14:55-15:45 |
Is the switch from brand-name to generic drugs in MS safe and justified? Capsule: As intellectual property protections are beginning to expire, cheaper generic drugs are entering the vibrant market of MS. The complex structure of biologic drugs for MS (e.g. interferons, monoclonal antibodies) or non-biologic complex drugs (NBCD) such as glatiramer acetate may make it difficult to reproduce them. Even minor changes in the manufacturing process may result in significant changes in the ultrastructure and biological properties of biosimilars or follow-on for NBCD. Are generics identical to, similar to or different from the original drugs? Does the switch from brand-name to generic drugs alter their efficacy, safety and antigenicity? Are clinical trials needed for generic drugs? How generics for small molecules, biologics and NBCD should be regulated in MS? |
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14:55-15:05 |
Host: Ron Milo, Israel |
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15:05-15:20 |
Yes: Ovidiu Bajenaru, Romania |
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15:20-15:35 |
No: Klaus Schmierer, UK |
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15:35-15:45 |
Discussion and rebuttals |
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15:45-16:00 |
Coffee Break |