AQP4-IgG

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.

The use of immunomodulatory therapy based on type 1 interferons (IFNs) may trigger neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a new case report. Researchers in China described the case of a 24-year-old man diagnosed with the autoimmune disease after receiving treatment with IFN-alpha, a…

An analysis of pharmacological data supports the observed clinical efficacy of Soliris (eculizumab) in significantly reducing relapses in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) given the therapy in the PREVENT Phase 3 clinical trial. At its approved dose, Soliris led to rapid, sustained, and complete suppression…

Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon), a medication for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), is now available in the U.S. through specialty distributor BioCareSD and specialty infusion pharmacy BioTek Remedys. The companies added the medication to their portfolio of specialty therapeutics to expand upon their product offering…

Note: This story was updated Nov. 2, 2021, to note that Soliris is taken every two weeks, rather than weekly. Soliris (eculizumab) is more effective than Enspryng (satralizumab) and Uplizna (inebilizumab) at lowering the risk of relapse in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are…

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…

An improved understanding of the biological processes that drive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has led to treatment advancements in recent years. In a presentation at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2021, Sean Pittock, MD, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for…

In most people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) coordinate a complex series of immune activities that drive the disease. Better understanding of these disease-causing mechanisms may help in efforts to find new treatments for NMOSD patients. These mechanisms were explained in the lecture, “…