Giancarlo COMI (1947–2024)

Abstract

Professor Giancarlo Comi (Figure 1), one of the world's leading experts in multiple sclerosis, passed away on November 26, 2024, after suffering a stroke during the morning of the opening ceremony of the 32nd European Charcot Foundation Congress, where he served as president.

The immense void left by his departure is reflected in his extraordinary legacy, characterized by over three decades of uninterrupted contributions and leadership. Prof. Comi led the MS Center at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan from its inception in the 1990s and founded the Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE) at the same institution in 2004. From 2000 to 2004, he directed the European Neurological Society Courses, and from 2006 to 2008, he served as President of the European Neurological Society. Between 2012 and 2014, he was the President of the Italian Society of Neurology.

In 2015, Prof. Comi co-chaired the Scientific Committee of the International Progressive MS Alliance, uniting leading researchers, patients, organizations, and industry partners in the shared pursuit of effective therapies for progressive multiple sclerosis. Since 2013, he presided the European Charcot Foundation and chaired the Human Brains Scientific Committee of the Prada Foundation.

Prof. Comi was a visionary researcher and a pioneer in early treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis. He was among the first to demonstrate the benefit of initiating treatment after the first episode suggestive of MS (ETOMS, Lancet 2001). Over the past three decades, he contributed to every pivotal Phase III trial for all approved disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS, co-authoring landmark publications in journals such as The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine.

He played a key role in the development of the 2017 and 2024 international diagnostic criteria for MS and championed the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in MS research. As one of the first in Italy to acquire an MRI machine dedicated solely to research, Prof. Comi set a standard for innovation. His scientific output includes over 700 papers in high-impact journals, 28 of which were published in the European Journal of Neurology. He also edited numerous books and delivered presentations at more than 600 scientific conferences worldwide.

Beyond his groundbreaking research, Prof. Comi championed participatory science, emphasizing the critical role of patients in research through initiatives such as the MULTI-ACT Project and the PROMS Initiative, which he helped establish with the International MS Federation and the Italian MS Foundation.

While renowned for his expertise in multiple sclerosis, Prof. Comi also made significant contributions to other fields. He founded one of the first stroke units in Europe at San Raffaele Hospital and led the Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, publishing extensively in neurophysiology and neuromuscular diseases. He also established a Neurorehabilitation Unit at San Raffaele, promoting innovative research in the rehabilitation of central nervous system disorders.

Giancarlo Comi was a giant among European neurologists, dedicating his life to combating multiple sclerosis. He remains a role model for current and future generations, exemplifying values of dedication, generosity, and an insatiable curiosity to understand and address this devastating disease.

Prof. Comi's passing at the annual European Charcot Foundation meeting, which he established and led with passion, mirrors the poetic departure of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Molière), who died on stage in 1673. This parallel is both tragic and deeply moving, underscoring the enduring impact of his life's work and values.

Gilles Edan: writing – original draft, writing – review and editing. Hans-Peter Hartung: supervision, validation. Xavier Montalban: validation, supervision.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.