For a brilliant future of therapeutic neurology

Abstract

Since 1982, The Japanese Society of Neurological Therapeutics has promoted (1) publication of treatment guidelines for rare diseases, (2) industry–government–academia collaboration, (3) globalization, and (4) support of clinical trials. In the future its role will be expanded focusing on clinical trial support and drug recovery/development. In 2021, the committee for promotion of drug discovery has been launched. The committee will activate (1) research and development, advices on the trial protocol and participating institutes, (2) support for collection of participants (patients), matching of industry and academia, (3) development of trial–ready registry, and (4) patient and public involvement. So far, the committee has supported 5 clinical trials by pharmaceutical industries. The Japanese Society of Neurological Therapeutics should play an important role in the promotion of drug recovery and clinical trials.

Additionally, Department of Neurology, Chiba University Hospital has performed development of new treatment for POEMS syndrome, myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Guillain–Barré syndrome. Among them, thalidomide for POEMS syndrome was approved in 2021, and currently autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation has been established as a standard therapy for this syndrome. Clinical trials for other diseases are on–going or planned.