Scientific Symposium
HKMSS 13th Annual Scientific Meeting
26 Oct 2024
10:00-16:30
Grand Ballroom, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers
Speaker(s)
Prof. Xavier Montalban
Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (Cemcat)
Barcelona
Prof. Michael Levy
Harvard Medical School
USA
Prof. Helmut Butzkueven
Monash University of Melbourne
Australia
Prof. Vincent Van Pesch
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
Belgium
Dr. Stephen Cheng
HKMSS Council
The 13th Annual Scientific Meeting of the HKMSS was successfully held on 26 October 2024. It was the first full physical standalone-ASM of the society since COVID, and more than 80 participants attended the full-day meeting at the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers.
This year, we had four distinguised overseas speakers, including Prof. Xavier Montalban from the Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (CEMCAT), Barcelona; Prof. Michael Levy from the Harvard Medical School, USA; Prof. Helmut Butzkueven from the Monash University of Melbourne, Australia; and Prof. Vincent van Pesch from the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium. Our Guest of Honour was Dr. Colin Lui, President of the Hong Kong Neurological Society.
Radiology Masterclass: Update on MDonald Criteria 2024 - Implication on Treatment and Clinical Cases
The morning began with the Radiology Masterclass by Prof. Montalban, chaired by Dr. Winnie Wong and Dr. Richard Li. Prof. Montalban introduced the new changes made to the diagnostic criteria in the 2024 revision, and highlighted the MRI aspects such as the central vein sign and paramagnetic rim lesion.
We then had five real and difficult case discussions, which were presented by Dr. Jason Wong from Prince of Wales Hospital; Dr. Dickson Han from Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital; Dr. WT Wong from Princess Margaret Hospital; Dr. Carmen Lee from Prince of Wales Hospital; and finally from Prof. Vincent van Pesch.
Current Landscape of Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders in Hong Kong
During the lunch symposium, Dr. Stephen Cheng, the current President of the HKMSS, gave an overview of the current practice of CNS demyelinating disease management, presenting local epidemiological data from the Hospital Authority’s MS Specialist Panel and the HKMSS NMOSD Registry from 2019. The session was chaired by Dr. Jessica Li.
The Evolving Landscape of NMOSD Therapeutics
The next session, chaired by Dr. WK Cheng and Dr. KY Cheung, Prof. Michael Levy first spoke about the pathophysiology, clinical features and diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. He then outlined the latest treatment algorithm with the therapeutics agents that emerged in recent years.
Update on MSBase, including Real-world Experience with Cladribine
The following session, chaired by Dr. KK Lau and Dr. Eric Cheung, Prof. Helmut Butzkueven gave an introduction the MSBase, one of the world’s largest registry of MS. He shared the data generated from the database, especially the outcome of patients who have been treated with Cladribine.
Optimizing MS Treatment: Embracing De-escalation as Patients Age
Next, Prof. Vincent van Pesch shared with us his expertise in individualizing treatment for MS patients as they age. He emphasized the concept in immunosenescence, and this affects the decision to de-escalate or step down DMT above a certain age. This session was chaired by Dr. TH Tsoi and Dr. Kelvin Tsoi.
On the night before, Dr. Van Pesch also gave a talk during the Pre-conference Workshop, titled ‘Treating MS throughout Life Cycle of Disease’, at TianYi Restaurant of Pacific Place.
Update on McDonald Criteria 2024: Importance of HET and Monitoring Treatment Response in Clinical Practice
In the last session of the meeting, which was chaired by Dr. Patrick Li and Dr. WT Wong, Prof. Montalban once again took the stage, and further explained the new revisions of the 2024 McDonald Criteria. He then illustrated the importance of using high-effective therapy early in the disease course of MS, and how that impacts the long-term outcome of patients.
We would like to thank all our speakers for sharing their expertise, our Guest of Honour and chairpersons for their contribution, and for all our participants for making this Annual Scientific Meeting a great success!