News

FDA approves Ultomiris to treat adults with AQP4-related NMOSD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein. About 75% of people with NMOSD produce antibodies that bind to AQP4, according to the therapy’s developer, Alexion…

Immune B-cells train T-cells to prevent NMOSD: Mouse study

Under normal circumstances, immune B-cells train T-cells, another type of immune cell, on which targets not to attack, preventing the development of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a study in mice. This training occurs in the thymus gland, a small organ behind the breastbone that works as…

Blood markers NfL, GFAP provide useful information in NMOSD

Two blood markers — neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) — provide complementary clinical information about neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a review study highlights. “Based on the results of several studies, both NfL and GFAP are considered to have their own strengths as clinical…

Prevalence of disease for NMOSD estimated at 22,000 US patients

A new study of disease prevalence estimates that about 22,000 people in the U.S. were living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in 2022. The findings also suggest that the progressive autoimmune disease is most common in Black women, as compared with other U.S. demographics. For Asian American women,…

Tocilizumab found to be effective, safe for NMOSD: Meta-analysis

Tocilizumab, an anti-inflammatory medication used off-label for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), can help prevent relapses (flare-ups) and ease disability while being generally safe, according to a meta-analysis. The study, “Tocilizumab treatment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: Updated meta-analysis of efficacy and safety,” was published in the journal…