Description
AIM
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease that primarily
affects young adults, leading to neurological impairment and disability. Traditionally,
MS has been categorized into forms such as relapsing-remitting MS
(RRMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and secondary progressive MS
(SPMS). However, it is now acknowledged that the disease should be viewed
as a continuum, as inflammation and neurodegeneration coexist from the
early phases of the disease.
Disease worsening can be triggered by both acute and chronic inflammatory
processes, or it may occur independently of inflammation. Consequently,
new concepts have recently emerged, such as smoldering-associated worsening
(SAW) and progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA).
New biomarkers have been identified to assess smoldering inflammation,
including paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) and slowly expanding lesions
(SELs) visible on MRI. Additionally, fluid biomarkers are under evaluation for
their potential to monitor disease evolution and predict progression in
advance.
In recent years, a global effort by researchers has focused on defining the
immunopathology, clinical and radiological metrics, and biomarkers specific
to progressive MS. The goal is to identify, as early as possible, individuals at
higher risk of disability, quantify smoldering damage, and evaluate the
effectiveness of new treatments—such as BTK inhibitors—which can cross
the blood-brain barrier and target the local innate and adaptive immune
systems.
TARGET AUDIENCE
The International Conference is dedicated to a global audience of HCPs
biologists with a special interest or focus on MS:
• neurologists
• nurses
• physiotherapists
• pharmacologists
LEARNING OBJETIVES
The International Conference aims to achieve the following learning
objectives:
• Identify immunopathological hallmarks of progressive MS
• Quantify severity and establish prognosis based on innovative prognostic
markers
• Describe new immunological targets of treatments considering the
immune players involved in MS
• Detect early symptoms and signs of progression by using conventional
and digital assessments
• Discuss the results of clinical trials exploring the efficacy of new
treatments, such as BTKs inhibitors, targeting compartmentalized
inflammation in MS.
