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,…
anti-aquaporin-4 antibody
Using a live cell-based assay to test for the presence of aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4-IgG) can accurately identify people who have neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), new research suggests. Scientists said the cell-based assay was “a highly specific diagnostic biomarker of NMOSD and did not yield false positive results.” These findings…
Note: This story was updated March 29, 2021, to note that Uplizna is indicated for all NMOSD patients, regardless of the presence of aquaporin-4 water channel autoantibodies. Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) has been approved in Japan for preventing relapses in people with neuromyelitis…
Horizon Therapeutics is growing its rare disease portfolio by acquiring the biotechnology company Viela Bio, including the approved medicine Uplizna for treating neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). “This acquisition represents a significant step forward in advancing our strategy — to expand our pipeline,” Tim Walbert, chairman,…
When I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hadn’t yet approved any medications specifically to treat this disease. However, doctors could select various therapies to help patients prevent or deal with attacks. When NMO patients had an attack, doctors treated…
Enspryng has been approved by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration for treating people 12 and older who have aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), Chugai Pharmaceutical announced. The import drug license…
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