Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Optic nerve fiber damage is usually more severe in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) than with idiopathic optic neuritis, based on a clinical measure called visual evoked potential, a study shows. Results also suggest the recovery window after an acute NMOSD attack is shorter, highlighting the importance…

SinoMab BioScience has been cleared by Chinese regulators to launch a clinical trial for its experimental immune-suppressing therapy SN1011 in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The company is anticipating that the Phase 2/3 trial will begin enrolling participants in early 2023. “The IND [investigational new drug]…

Authorities in China have granted IASO Biotherapeutics the go-ahead to begin clinical testing of the experimental CAR T-cell therapy equecabtagene autoleucel in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), IASO announced. NMOSD is an autoimmune disorder wherein the body’s immune system launches an inflammatory attack that damages parts…

A specific pattern of brain inflammation called BPCLI sometimes can occur in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and often is associated with encephalitis-like symptoms that may contribute to misdiagnoses. A study with that finding, “Bilateral parafalcine cortical and leptomeningeal impairment: A characteristic pattern of MOG antibody…

Autoimmunity Modifying (AIM) Biologicals, an experimental platform that Aeterna Zentaris is developing to treat autoimmune diseases like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), showed proof-of-concept activity in cell and mouse models of NMOSD, new data show. The findings were presented at the 13th International Congress on Autoimmunity, held earlier…

The European Commission has approved Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG). The approval covers all member states in the European Union, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Horizon Therapeutics, the company marketing Uplizna,…

The European Commission is expected to propose a new governing framework for health data next month, called the European Health Data Space (EHDS), with the aim of connecting national health systems to facilitate secure and efficient transfer of data across systems in different European nations. The move is expected to…

Blood levels of two proteins, GFAP and neurofilament light chain (NfL), may help predict the course of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to new research. Findings also suggest that many NMOSD patients have evidence of brain lesions with active inflammation without any associated symptoms, which indicates that disease…

A system that stages neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) based on damage to astrocytes — the specific brain cells that are attacked in NMOSD — was recently developed by a team of researchers in Japan. While more work is needed, the system identifies four stages, largely based on astrocytopathy…

The European Commission has approved Enspryng (satralizumab) for the treatment of people, 12 and older, with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against the aquaporin-4 protein (AQP4-IgG). The approval covers Enspryng for use as a monotherapy (on its own) or in combination with other…