Therapeutics: An undetermined target

In vitro and mouse studies suggest the glucocorticoid clobetasol could help treat MS. A mouse oligodendrocyte progenitor cell-based screen of a small molecule library and testing of hits in mouse cerebellar tissue identified a lead hit, clobetasol, as a potent promoter of oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination. In a mouse model of chemical-induced demyelination, clobetasol increased levels of oligodendrocytes in CNS lesions compared with vehicle. In two mouse models of MS, clobetasol decreased disease scores compared with vehicle and comparably to Gilenya fingolimod. Next steps could include optimization of the drug-like properties, dosing regimen and CNS exposure of clobetasol...