Aquaporin-4 (AQP4)

When the immune system launches an attack to fight off a cytomegalovirus infection, immune cells may accidentally target aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a protein found at the surface of neuron-supporting cells. That’s the hypothesis suggested by researchers who analyzed the immune cell receptors of people with and without neuromyelitis optica spectrum…

Testing positive for self-reactive antibodies causing both neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) — two related autoimmune disorders — is extremely rare, but it appears to manifest more as NMOSD, a study in India suggests. So-called double positivity was found in three of…

An international team of experts has published evidence-based recommendations for how to best treat people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG), the most common type of disease-driving antibody. The consensus statements were described in the study “International Delphi…

CCL2, a signaling protein that recruits immune cells to sites of injury, may play a key role in driving the nerve damage that results from antibodies against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study suggests. The signaling protein was found to be elevated in…

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,…

SPHERES, a real-world registry for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), is now collecting biological samples from consenting participants. Launched by CorEvitas and the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation (GJCF) in 2021, the registry had been collecting long-term clinical data, but not biological samples. “The launch of this biospecimen…

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…

Antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are detectable in the blood several years before symptoms occur in most people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a U.S. study. Tammy Smith, MD, PhD, of the University of Utah, presented the findings at the recent American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual…

Up to 4.6 years of treatment with Enspryng (satralizumab) continues to safely reduce relapse rates and prevent disability progression for people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). That’s according to pooled data from the Phase 3 SAkuraSky (NCT02028884) and…

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…