ACTRIMS 2022 | Research focuses in pediatric-onset MS

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) typically refers to MS onset before 18 years of age and makes up only 3-5% of all multiple sclerosis (MS) cases. In recent years, scientific and clinical breakthroughs have furthered our understanding of the disease and provided information on the natural history and phenotype of POMS. Jonathan Santoro, MD, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, shares his thoughts on the future of research in the POMS space, highlighting investigations into neurogenetics and endocrine manifestations of disease as exciting areas of his personal research focus. Additionally, a growing number of clinical trials and etiological studies are being conducted in the pediatric population, which may provide data useful to adults as well as pediatric patients. This interview took place at the ACTRIMS Forum 2022 in West Palm Beach, Florida.