Optimized Azathioprine Can Be Effective for Neuromyelitis Optica Weight-based dosing, laboratory monitoring for biologic effect, and concurrent use of prednisone are important for treatment success. Azathioprine is often used to prevent relapses in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), but data on its efficacy are limited.
Voiding dysfunction, either urinary incontinence or retention, can have a debilitating effect upon the individual’s daily quality of life. Patients with these conditions often face many challenges in their everyday lives and can become preoccupied with constant trips to the bathroom, fear of leaking episodes and sleepless nights.
BACKGROUND: Findings from a small clinical study suggested that statins may counteract the therapeutic effects of interferon beta (IFNbeta) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS: We conducted a post hoc analysis of data from the Safety and Efficacy of Natalizumab in Combination With IFNbeta-1a in Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (SENTINEL) study to determine the effects of statins on efficacy of IFNbeta. SENTINEL was a prospective trial of patients with RRMS treated with natalizumab (Tysabri, Biogen Idec, Inc., Cambridge, MA) plus IM IFNbeta-1a (Avonex, Biogen Idec, Inc.) 30 microg compared with placebo plus IM IFNbeta-1a 30 microg.
Objective In neuromyelitis optica (NMO), the destruction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been considered to be the first step of the disease process.
BACKGROUND: Antibodies targeting membrane proteins play an important role in various autoimmune diseases of the nervous system.
Objective: To study antibody-independent contributions of B cells to inflammatory disease activity, and the immune consequences of B-cell depletion with rituximab, in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).Methods: B-Cell effector-cytokine responses were compared between MS patients and matched controls using a 3-signal model of activation. The effects of B-cell depletion on Th1/Th17 CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses in MS patients were assessed both ex vivo and in vivo, together with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies as part of 2 rituximab clinical trials in relapsing–remitting MS.Results: B Cells of MS patients exhibited aberrant proinflammatory cytokine responses, including increased lymphotoxin (LT):interleukin-10 ratios and exaggerated LT and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) secretion, when activated in the context of the pathogen-associated TLR9-ligand CpG-DNA, or the Th1 cytokine interferon-y, respectively
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mitoxantrone hydrochloride and determine how it exhibits a differential inhibitory effect on subsets of B cells in patients with highly relapsing neuromyelitis optica (NMO).