News

SinoMab Cleared by China to Test Its Immunosuppressant SN1011

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]…

NMOSD, MS Tied to Higher Risk for Parkinson’s in South Korea

Patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or multiple sclerosis (MS), another disease that damages the protective myelin sheaths around nerve cells, are at higher risk than healthy individuals of also developing Parkinson’s disease (PD), a South Korean study found. The study, “Risk of Parkinson’s disease…

China OKs Clinical Testing of First CAR T-cell Therapy in NMOSD

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…

CoronaVac Leads to Rare Severe Case of NMOSD in Elderly Woman

The CoronaVac vaccine, which contains inactivated SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, led to a severe case of late-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in a 70-year-old woman. The unique case was described in an article, “Fulminant neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) following COVID-19 vaccination: A…

Vaccination for COVID-19 Triggers NMOSD in Rare Case Study

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may trigger neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a case report suggests. The report, “Antibody‐Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder After Second COVID‐19 Vaccination: a Case Report,” was published in the journal SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine. Recommended…

NF-kappaB Pathway May Be Useful Therapeutic Target for NMOSD

Astrocytes, star-shaped cells found around nerve cells, make an inflammation driver of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) called interleukin-6 (IL-6) in part by gearing up a chain of reactions involving nuclear factor kappa B, or NF-kappaB, according to a study in rat cells. Researchers also observed that by blocking…

BTK Signaling Molecules Show Altered Levels in NMOSD Patients

Key players in B-cell signaling pathways and related inflammatory molecules were elevated in the blood of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) compared with healthy people, a study found. The findings suggest that targeting this signaling pathway could show therapeutic promise in NMOSD, the researchers noted. The study,…