Steve Bryson, PhD, science writer —

Enspryng (satralizumab-mwge) promotes an anti-inflammatory profile in plasmablasts, the immune cells that produce large amounts of the self-reactive antibodies that drive most cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). That’s according to a study analyzing immune cells from NMOSD patients before and after treatment with Enspryng, as well…

Higher levels of self-reactive antibodies against aquaporin-4 protein (AQP4), which drives neuroinflammation in most cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), correlate with more severe relapses and visual disability, according to a large study. Even after treatment with immunosuppressive agents, patients with high anti-AQP4 antibodies experienced more severe relapses.

Women with elevated blood levels of the sex hormone progesterone have an increased risk of developing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a study that analyzed genetic variants associated with sex hormone levels. In a reverse analysis, having NMOSD appeared to lower testosterone and increase the sex hormone-binding…

Three months of ginseng tablets taken twice a day lessened fatigue in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial found. Ginseng is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. “This study revealed positive effects of ginseng…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with another autoimmune disease — specifically lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome — according to a large-scale analysis of inpatient hospitalization data in the U.S. In fact, NMOSD patients had a 12 times higher…

SAB Biotherapeutics has developed therapeutic antibodies — without the need for human donors — that can neutralize self-reactive antibodies associated with autoimmune diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Working in collaboration with CSL Behring, a partnership established in 2020, SAB used its DiversitAb…

Nearly all neuroimmunologists treating patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for anti-AQP4 antibodies have prescribed one of the three currently approved therapies: Soliris (eculizumab), Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon), and Enspryng (satralizumab-mwge). These are the findings of a U.S. survey that also found most responding…

Blood levels of prolactin, a hormone mostly known for its role in milk production, are significantly elevated in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) as compared with healthy adults, a study found. Among NMOSD patients, these high prolactin levels were significantly associated with active disease, sensory-related symptoms, and…

Soliris (eculizumab) has been approved in China to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, known as NMO or NMOSD, who test positive for antibodies against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein. The therapy — which works to reduce the risk of relapse and ease inflammation among patients — was approved…

Genetic variations linked with cold sores and shingles infections have been associated with the development of AQP4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to genetic analysis. The findings suggest that the herpes simplex virus, which is the cause of cold sores, and the varicella-zoster virus, which leads to…