An international team of researchers has identified three genetic variants significantly associated with higher odds of developing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with self-reactive antibodies against the AQP4 protein. The data also suggest that, in terms of genetic risk factors, AQP4-positive NMOSD is more similar to systemic autoimmune diseases…
Aquaporin-4 (AQP4)
Specific nerve damage and shrinkage in key brain regions are associated with a faster time to relapse and worsening disability among adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for antibodies against the AQP4 protein, according to a study in Italy. Researchers used advanced MRI techniques to…
A specific set of immune-related genes is significantly more active in the blood of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), potentially offering a new diagnostic approach for the rare disease. A study in Iran found that seven genes involved in a major inflammatory pathway, called nuclear factor kappa…
Soliris (eculizumab) is linked to a reduced relapse rate and stabilization of disability progression in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for anti-AQP4 antibodies, according to a real-world study in Turkey. “These results support [Soliris] as a valuable therapy for [AQP4-related] NMOSD, while stressing the…
People testing negative for self-reactive antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgGs) — the type of antibody most commonly linked to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) — rarely become positive for these antibodies on subsequent tests. These are the findings of a real-world study in the U.S. involving 451 people suspected of…
Higher blood levels of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are significantly associated with shrinkage in certain brain regions of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who have antibodies against the AQP4 protein, a study showed. This association was not observed in people with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated…
Long-term use of the approved therapy Enspryng (satralizumab) safely and effectively prevented relapses in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who have antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). That’s according to up to 8.8 years of pooled data from two placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials — SAkuraStar (NCT02073279) and …
Smoking is associated with a significantly higher risk of residual disability from onset attack in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients with antibodies against the AQP4 protein, a new study showed. Similar results were seen for the presence of nonsmoking vascular risk factors (VRF) such as high blood pressure,…
Switching from Soliris (eculizumab) to Enspryng (satralizumab) is a safe and effective approach for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients testing positive for antibodies against the AQP4 protein. That’s according to data from five patients in the U.S. who switched treatments due to either preference for route…
People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for self-reactive antibodies against the aquaporin 4 (AQP4) protein are more likely to be women, and have an earlier disease onset and more relapses than those who test negative. That’s according a single-center study in Argentina that also showed…
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