Synthesis of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of multiple sclerosis: A brief overview

Multiple sclerosis (MS) often results in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and recent developments in understanding the disease pathogenesis has lead to newer therapeutic options for the treatment of the disease. The development of small molecule drugs with improved efficacy, better tolerability, and oral administration has received a new impetus with the discovery of newer classes of drugs. In this review, we have summarized the hitherto known synthetic strategies of fingolimod, laquinimod, cladribine, and teriflunomide reported in the literature which are the key small molecules and the first oral drug candidates for MS in various stages of clinical development or have been launched in the market.

Graphical abstractKey developments in the small molecule therapeutic agents for multiple sclerosis and synthetic strategies for the promising candidates: fingolimod, laquinimod, cladribine and teriflunomide is summarized.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Multiple sclerosis disease, pathogenesis, symptoms and types. ► Current treatment options for MS. ► Recent developments on small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of MS. ► Summary of the know literature routes for fingolimod, laquinimod, cladribine, teriflunomide and the synthetic highlights.