Anti-Aquaporin-4 monoclonal antibody blocker therapy for neuromyelitis optica. Tradtrantip L , Zhang H , Saadoun S , Phuan PW , Lam C , Papadopoulos MC , Bennett JL , Verkman AS . Source Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA
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.
Naznin A.
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.
Long-term follow-up of patients with neuromyelitis optica after repeated therapy with rituximab. Pellkofer HL , Krumbholz M , Berthele A , Hemmer B , Gerdes LA , Havla J , Bittner R , Canis M , Meinl E , Hohlfeld R , Kuempfel T
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.
For patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), there are currently six approved medications that have been shown to alter the natural course of the disease. The approved medications include three beta interferon formulations, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab and mitoxantrone.
BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe autoimmune disease targeting optic nerves and spinal cord. The monoclonal anti-CD20 B-cell antibody rituximab is an emerging therapeutic option in NMO. However, neither long-term efficacy or safety of rituximab, nor the correlation between B-cell counts, B-cell fostering cytokines, aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4-ab), and disease activity in NMO, have been investigated prospectively
Background: There are limited number of studies investigating efficacy and safety of plasma exchange (PLEX) in treating acute demyelinating diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). In a randomised double-blind trial of PLEX in treating acute demyelinating attacks,42% of patients on active treatment had significant improvement compared to 5.9% on sham.