News

Rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may be the most effective off-label options for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who are unable to access approved therapies, often due to high costs or limited availability, according to a study in China. The study compared the safety and efficacy of four immunosuppressive…

Infection rates were consistently lower in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMSOD) treated with Enspryng (satralizumab-mwge) over other immunosuppressive therapies, according to long-term data from clinical trials and real-world settings. “This analysis provides reassurance that the [Enspryng] safety profile observed in patients with NMOSD in a clinical…

People who develop neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) at 50 years or older are significantly more likely to experience worse recovery from relapses and faster disability progression than those with early-onset disease, a study in Germany showed. These increased risks were seen despite comparable relapse rates, more intensive relapse…

Treatment with Enspryng (satralizumab) allows nearly all neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients to remain free of relapses after six months, with many reducing their use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants. Nearly one-third of patients were able to stop corticosteroids, which can cause serious side effects when used…

Smoking is associated with a significantly higher risk of residual disability from onset attack in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients with antibodies against the AQP4 protein, a new study showed. Similar results were seen for the presence of nonsmoking vascular risk factors (VRF) such as high blood pressure,…

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, a blood inflammatory marker that can be calculated based on the results of a simple blood test, may be used as a biomarker of disability severity in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a small study showed. Researchers identified four other ratios, calculated based on…

Starting off-label treatment with tocilizumab after the first disease attack in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is more effective at reducing disability than switching to tocilizumab after other therapies fail to control the disease, a study shows. Still, the risk of relapse over three years remained the same regardless…

Regular maintenance treatment with low-dose rituximab is associated with less disability and fewer relapses among people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) compared with receiving irregular doses of the preventive therapy, according to a two-year real-world study in China. “Regular [rituximab] treatment can significantly reduce the annual relapse rate, incidence…

Blood levels of markers of brain cell damage may be used to distinguish between attack and remission periods in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients, but analysis of these blood biomarkers should be done at specific times to get the best accuracy. Those are the findings from a study…

Switching from Soliris (eculizumab) to Enspryng (satralizumab) is a safe and effective approach for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients testing positive for antibodies against the AQP4 protein. That’s according to data from five patients in the U.S. who switched treatments due to either preference for route…