Patricia Valerio, PhD, science writer —

Tumor removal and immunosuppressive treatment can resolve neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) likely associated with different types of cancer positive for aquaporin 4 (AQP4) protein, according to data from three cases in China. Only two patients showed consistently high blood levels of antibodies against AQP4 (AQP4-IgG) — the most…

SAB Biotherapeutics’ DiversitAb platform has generated specialized antibodies against multiple regions of an abnormal self-reactive antibody, or autoantibody, associated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The new antibody-based therapy was found to effectively bind to the NMOSD-causing autoantibody and neutralize it in both in vitro (in lab dishes) and in vivo (inside a…

The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency has approved Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) for the treatment of adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG). The Horizon Therapeutics’ therapy is the first and only man-made antibody against CD19 — a cell surface protein present…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have increased levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord — of three inflammatory biomarkers, a new study shows. The elevated concentrations of these biomarkers — YKL-40, sCD163, and sCD14 — also…