immunosuppression

5 Years on Immunosuppressants May Reduce NMOSD Relapse Risk by 50%

Longer-term treatment with immunosuppressants may halve the risk of relapse, or of symptoms returning, in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study in China found. When taken non-stop for up to five years, such treatment reduced the risk of relapse in NMOSD patients, with a mild rebound when immunosuppressants…

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…

Analysis: First-line Rituximab Better Than MMF at Preventing Relapses

Rituximab may be a more effective immunosuppressive therapy for preventing a first relapse in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) than mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a new meta-analysis found. The anti-CD20 antibody rituximab, commonly used off-label in NMOSD, also appears to work better than azathioprine, though the results failed…

Navigating Holiday Gatherings Amid the Pandemic With Autoimmune Disease

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, many families are concerned about the holidays. I’m trying to approach the season with patience, but as someone with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), I’m also tired, frustrated, and scared. Living with this disease and taking immunosuppressants means I’m at a higher risk of becoming…