Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

Early use of immunosuppressive therapy — when compared with a later treatment start — was associated with fewer relapses and reduced disability among neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients with self-reactive antibodies against the AQP4 protein, a study from China showed. The data demonstrated a time-dependent treatment efficacy, with…

A seaweed-derived preparation named GV-971 (sodium oligomannate) that has anti-inflammatory effects through the gut-brain axis, delayed the onset and progression of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in mouse models of the disease, a study shows. The preparation developed by Green Valley Pharmaceuticals is approved in China as an…

HNSA-5487, Hansa Biopharma’s experimental treatment for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and other autoimmune diseases, safely and effectively reduced the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies — ones involved in the abnormal immune attacks that drive these conditions — in a Phase 1 clinical trial involving healthy volunteers.

Combining blood-cleaning therapies such as plasma exchange or immunoadsorption with standard steroid treatment can improve recovery outcomes in patients having an attack of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study that reported no significant safety concerns shows. The study, “Efficacy and safety of apheresis therapy in AQP4 antibody‐positive…

People having area postrema syndrome (APS), that is, uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, or hiccups, as the first symptom of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are more likely to relapse sooner and more frequently than those having another first symptom. These are the main findings of a single-center study that retrospectively…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have significantly lower vitamin D levels in their blood than do healthy individuals, according to a meta-analysis of data from studies covering more than 900 people in Asia. While the findings don’t prove that vitamin D deficiency causes NMOSD, they call attention…

Most neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who start taking Enspryng (satralizumab) remain free of relapses for at least a year, with some being able to stop treatment with oral glucocorticoids, according to a study of real-world data. The findings are consistent with those of SAkuraStar (NCT02073279)…

People who develop neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) at an older age are more likely to experience spinal cord inflammation and less likely to have eye nerve involvement, not only in the first attack but also in subsequent relapses, a study has found. In addition, data show “different relapse…

Tocilizumab, an anti-inflammatory medication used off-label for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), can help prevent relapses (flare-ups) and ease disability while being generally safe, according to a meta-analysis. The study, “Tocilizumab treatment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: Updated meta-analysis of efficacy and safety,” was published in the journal…

Health Canada has approved Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) to treat adults in the country with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for disease-driving anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies. The decision adds Canada to the list of nations where the medication is now available. The intravenous or into-the-vein infusion, developed by…