AQP4 autoantibodies

Ultomiris recommended for approval in Europe to treat NMOSD adults

A European Medicines Agency (EMA) committee has recommended that Ultomiris (ravulizumab) be approved to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). The recommendation, from the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), will now be reviewed by the European…

Rituximab Clears NMOSD-causing Antibodies From Lymph Nodes

Self-reactive antibodies that cause most cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are released directly from immune B-cells in lymph nodes as opposed to cells in the bloodstream, a study has discovered. These findings implicate ongoing lymph node activity as the main driver of disease-causing antibody production in NMOSD.

Immunotherapy Clears Optic Neuritis, Lesions Prior to Symptoms

Giving immunosuppressive therapy to patients with antibodies against aquaporin-4 protein (AQP4) and optic neuritis but no symptoms may help resolve observed lesions and prevent a relapse of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a case report suggests. The case study, “Radiologically isolated aquaporin-4 antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder,” was…

Uplizna May Be Effective for Patients Without Anti-AQP4 Antibodies

Long-term treatment with Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) safely and effectively reduced the frequency of attacks in the 12 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who were negative for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in the N-MOmentum Phase 2/3 trial. Future, appropriately-controlled studies are needed to confirm Uplizna’s benefits in this subgroup…