Rituximab, MMF may be effective off-label options for NMOSD: Study

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…

Taking a leap of faith as I switch to another NMOSD treatment

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,…

Developing NMOSD when older linked to worse symptoms: Study

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…

88% of clinicians in survey prescribe approved NMOSD treatments

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…

Frequent treatment switching linked to worse outcomes in study

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 now approved in China to treat adults with NMOSD

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…

#ECTRIMS2022 — Ultomiris Prevents Relapses in Clinical Trial

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…

Moving Forward After an NMO Diagnosis

A chronic illness diagnosis can be stressful, overwhelming, and scary, especially when the illness is rare and has no cure. When my daughter Bella was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in 2017 at age 9, we were instructed by her doctors to spend one hour online learning everything we could…