According to a study presented at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2022, women with multiple sclerosis (MS) undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) appear to have a high risk of relapse if they are not treated with disease modifying therapy (DMT).

Investigators assessed data on 37 women with either relapsing-remitting MS (n = 31) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS; n = 6) who underwent ART. The women had low disability, with a median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 1.0. All participants underwent one to five cycles of ART from 2010 through 2021. In 19 of the 37 participants who were taking DMTs before undergoing ART, 10 continued with the medication throughout ovarian hyperstimulation.

Participants who did not receive DMTs were found to have a significantly higher relapse risk compared to women who were treated with these drugs. Five patients experienced relapses in the 12 months after ART therapy. Among the women who experienced a relapse, none were treated with DMTs during the previous 12 months. Of the relapses, three occurred within 3 months of ART treatment, one within 6 months, and one within 12 months… (Medscape)