[Immunosuppressive treatment im multiple sclerosis].

The results of various uncontrolled trials of immunosuppression in the treatment of multiple sclerosis have indicated an amelioration in the clinical course of the disease in about half of the treated patients. These observations have recently been confirmed by the findings in a double blind controlled study. The aim of future clinical trials has to lay in increasing the efficacy of conventional immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Further progress in immunological research and a better understanding of the etiology of multiple sclerosis may allow one day a more specific immunotherapy with the help of immunoregulatory substances.