A new substance class for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases now promises increased efficacy paired with fewer side effects. To achieve this, a team of scientists have combined two already approved pharmaceutical substances with each other using a chemical linker structure.

 Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system. It destroys the insulation of the nerve cell signaling system, the myelin sheaths of the neural axons. The consequence of this process is the malfunction of signaling and finally cell death resulting in permanent neurological problems. The cause of multiple sclerosis is that the body itself attacks the cellular components of the myelin sheaths, the oligodendrocytes, so researchers embarked on a search for intervention options that could protect brain cells from these attacks - to prevent the damage and loss of brain cells but also to develop a medication that has a positive impact on cell regeneration. 

The combination seeks to ensure maximum brain cell protection and the suppression of unwanted side effects on the other. The new class of substances has now been registered with the European Patent Office by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Max Planck Research Unit.

 The two already well-known substances of the Cyclosporine (C) and FK506 (tacrolimus) (F)-series serve as building blocks. They are connected via a so called linker -- here shown as a chain. Credit: DZNE / C. Schwickart

The used components of the Cyclosporine and FK506 (tacrolimus)-series have been utilized in a chemically slightly altered form as immunosuppressant medications for a long time. Both suppress the cellular immune defenses. This effect is necessary in conjunction with organ transplants, but otherwise problematic for the organism.

The specific combination of the two substances amplifies the protective effect on the nerve cells thanks to different but synergistic efficacy mechanisms. The impact on the immune defense is reduced at the same time, which results in fewer side effects. Both of these achievements were corroborated by experiments.