Therapies specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are superior to rituximab and other off-label medications at preventing relapses and serious side effects, according to a real-world study in the U.S. The study also showed that among FDA-approved therapies, the…
NMO treatments
Add-on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which involves breathing pure oxygen at high pressure, may help reduce inflammation in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), especially those with more overactive immune systems, a small study suggests. “HBOT may help rebalance the immune system in NMOSD,” researchers wrote, noting that…
People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have abnormally high levels of S100A9, a protein that drives the inflammatory activity of certain immune cells, a study discovered. According to the researchers, higher S100A9 levels in the blood were significantly associated with more severe disability among patients. These findings thus…
Rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may be the most effective off-label options for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who are unable to access approved therapies, often due to high costs or limited availability, according to a study in China. The study compared the safety and efficacy of four immunosuppressive…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with preventive NMOSD medications. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I’ve always been afraid of heights. When I’m looking over an edge, my palms get sweaty, my heart starts to race,…
People who develop neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) at an older age are more likely to experience spinal cord inflammation and less likely to have eye nerve involvement, not only in the first attack but also in subsequent relapses, a study has found. In addition, data show “different relapse…
Nearly all neuroimmunologists treating patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for anti-AQP4 antibodies have prescribed one of the three currently approved therapies: Soliris (eculizumab), Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon), and Enspryng (satralizumab-mwge). These are the findings of a U.S. survey that also found most responding…
People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who switch between treatments more than once because of side effects or non-medical reasons have an increased risk of disease activity, a study shows. While each additional switch for either reason increased the risk of NMOSD activity, no such association was seen…
Soliris (eculizumab) has been approved in China to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, known as NMO or NMOSD, who test positive for antibodies against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein. The therapy — which works to reduce the risk of relapse and ease inflammation among patients — was approved…
Ultomiris (ravulizumab) — Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ approved therapy for certain complement-associated disorders — prevents relapses in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein. The therapy also helped preserve walking skills, with treated patients showing a markedly lower risk of experiencing clinically…
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