Which treatment is used for autoimmune diseases, including MS?

• A. Plasmapheresis
• B. Corticosteroids
• C. Immunoglobulin therapy
• D. Radiation therapy

Answer: (A)

Autoimmune diseases often involve circulating autoantibodies and immune mediators that drive tissue damage. Plasmapheresis removes these pathogenic factors from the blood, rapidly reducing the immune attack by physically extracting the autoantibodies and immune complexes from the plasma and replacing it with donor plasma or albumin. In multiple sclerosis, acute relapses can be managed with high-dose corticosteroids, but in severe or steroid-refractory cases, plasmapheresis can provide meaningful improvement by lowering circulating inflammatory factors. This approach is used across several autoimmune conditions, which is why it’s listed as a treatment option for autoimmune diseases including MS. While corticosteroids are widely used for relapses and other therapies have roles in specific diseases, plasmapheresis uniquely acts by removing the circulating immune components that drive disease activity.