Immune B-cells train T-cells to prevent NMOSD: Mouse study

Under normal circumstances, immune B-cells train T-cells, another type of immune cell, on which targets not to attack, preventing the development of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a study in mice. This training occurs in the thymus gland, a small organ behind the breastbone that works as…

China OKs Clinical Testing of First CAR T-cell Therapy in NMOSD

Authorities in China have granted IASO Biotherapeutics the go-ahead to begin clinical testing of the experimental CAR T-cell therapy equecabtagene autoleucel in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), IASO announced. NMOSD is an autoimmune disorder wherein the body’s immune system launches an inflammatory attack that damages parts…

BTK Signaling Molecules Show Altered Levels in NMOSD Patients

Key players in B-cell signaling pathways and related inflammatory molecules were elevated in the blood of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) compared with healthy people, a study found. The findings suggest that targeting this signaling pathway could show therapeutic promise in NMOSD, the researchers noted. The study,…

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.

Phase 2 Trial of Oral Therapy Orelabrutinib Set to Launch in China

InnoCare Pharma will soon launch a Phase 2 clinical trial in China to test orelabrutinib, its oral investigational Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The announcement comes after China’s National Medical Products Administration approved the company’s request to conduct such a trial,…

#ECTRIMS2021 – Greater B-cell Depletion With Uplizna Linked to Better Outcomes

Treatment with Horizon Therapeutics’ Uplizna (inebilizumab) leads to a rapid and sustained drop in immune B-cells in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), data from the N-MOmentum Phase 2/3 clinical trial show. Notably, while all Uplizna-treated patients experienced significant clinical benefits, those with greater B-cell depletion showed lower…

Uplizna Found Safe at Reducing NMOSD Attacks in African Americans

Treatment with Horizon Therapeutics’ Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) was found safe and effective at reducing the frequency of attacks in African-American adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a retrospective analysis of the N-MOmentum clinical trial. These findings were presented in a poster at the 15th World Congress…