Oral therapies that can one day replace injectable therapies are eagerly anticipated by people with MS who would like to avoid the discomfort of needles and injection-site reactions. Experts anticipate that oral therapies will greatly increase the number of people who get on the DMTs early and stay on their chosen therapies. Here are a few oral therapies that look promising:

• Oral laquinimod (Teva Pharmaceuticals) is an immunomodulating drug being studied for those with relapsing-remitting MS. It is administered once daily.

• Fingolimod (also known as FTY720) (Novartis Pharmaceuticals) is an oral drug that binds to a docking site on immune cells, preventing them from leaving the lymph nodes and thereby preventing them from attacking the brain and spinal cord. It is under study in about 2,000 people with RRMS in Europe and North America. It is administered once daily.

• Mylinax (oral cladribine) (EMD, Serono and IVAX) is a daily, orally administered disease-modifying treatment for RRMS. Mylinax interferes with the activity and the proliferation of certain white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, which are involved in the pathological process of MS.

• Teriflunomide (Sanofi-Aventis) is a daily, orally administered disease-modifying treatment for RRMS and SPMS. It is thought to prevent damage of the nervous system by T cells, one form of immune cells.

• BG-12 (oral fumarate) (Biogen Idec) is an oral fumarate for RRMS. It regulates the immune system and may also protect cells from injury.

Researchers agree that an effective oral treatment would be a significant breakthrough in the management of MS. The therapies will be taken in an oral form, eliminating the need for injection training and creating ease in administering the drug. Some of these drugs are currently in Phase III trials (the last trial phase before applying for FDA approval), which generally last two to three years.