What is the primary goal of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in multiple sclerosis?

• A. Cure the disease
• B. Slow progression, reduce relapses, prevent new lesions
• C. Improve mobility but not affect progression
• D. Help with acute relapse management only

Answer: (B)

Disease-modifying therapies in MS aim to change the course of the disease by dampening immune-driven inflammation that drives relapses and MRI-detectable lesion formation, with the goal of slowing the accumulation of disability over time. The best answer captures the three key effects clinicians look for: fewer relapses, slower progression of disability, and fewer new lesions on MRI. DMTs are not cures and are not used only for managing acute relapses; acute relapses are typically treated with steroids, and DMTs work to modify future disease activity and outcomes. The other options fall short because they either imply a cure, focus only on symptom-based mobility improvements, or address only acute relapse management rather than long-term disease modification.