Summary
Recent discussions at the 10th joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS meeting in Toronto highlight significant advancements and ongoing challenges in multiple sclerosis (MS) research. Key findings from the late-breaking abstract session included the results of the Remodel 1 and 2 studies, which compared the efficacy of remibrutinib to teriflunomide. While the primary outcomes showed promise, concerns arose regarding confirmed disability progression at three months, which only became statistically significant at six months. The rapid dissemination of these results, published in The Lancet, underscores the urgency and collaborative effort behind MS research.
Additional promising developments were shared, including updates on CAR T-cell therapies and the TOMATO trial, which investigates tocilizumab for MOGAD patients. These presentations emphasized the need for further data to validate efficacy and safety, particularly in the context of small sample sizes. The conference also spotlighted the importance of refining diagnostic criteria for optic nerve impairment, aiming to enhance operational definitions for clinical application.
The meeting showcased a diverse range of topics, reflecting the growing complexity of MS research. Discussions highlighted the necessity for improved neuroimaging techniques focused on the spinal cord and the need for consensus on remyelination assessment tools. The high attendance and international representation at the conference signal a robust interest in MS research, with a strong emphasis on collaboration among neurologists worldwide. Looking ahead, the community anticipates the next ECTRIMS meeting in Vienna, where further advancements and research findings are expected to be presented.
Show Notes
Three days of science, debate and discovery. For the final episode in our special MSToronto2026 podcast series, ECTRIMS Executive Committee member Jaume Sastre-Garriga joins host Brett Drummond direct from Toronto. Together, they unpack the key insights from Day Three, including the Late Breaking Abstract session, before stepping back to reflect on the Joint Meeting as a whole. What stood out across the week? Which developments and conversations could have lasting significance? And as thousands of researchers and clinicians prepare to leave Toronto, what comes next for the MS field? Recorded at the 10th Joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS Meeting, this is our final dispatch from Toronto – bringing together the science, conversations and ideas that shaped an extraordinary week. This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
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