AQP4 antibodies

Uplizna now approved in Canada to treat adults with NMOSD

Health Canada has approved Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) to treat adults in the country with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for disease-driving anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies. The decision adds Canada to the list of nations where the medication is now available. The intravenous or into-the-vein infusion, developed by…

Ultomiris approved in Japan for AQP4-positive NMOSD

Ultomiris (ravulizumab) has been approved by authorities in Japan to prevent relapses in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). The decision from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare comes shortly after a similar approval by the European Commission,…

Ultomiris approved in EU for adults with AQP4-positive NMOSD

Ultomiris (ravulizumab) has been approved by the European Commission to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). “Effective NMOSD management hinges on reducing relapses – even a single relapse may cause irreversible disabilities leaving patients unable to move, speak…

NMOSD Outcome Not Linked to AQP4 Antibodies at Diagnosis: Study

Being positive for or showing high levels of antibodies against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein at diagnosis doesn’t predict worse outcomes for people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a small study. Plasma exchange therapy was linked with a trend for slower disability progression, although it wasn’t…

NMOSD Diagnosis Without AQP4 Antibodies Requires More Scrutiny

Reaching a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) diagnosis in the absence of disease-causing antibodies requires careful attention from physicians in order to ensure timely treatment. That suggestion comes from a case report of a man in Nepal who had symptoms of the autoimmune disease but lacked the antibodies against…

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…