Thursday, February 13, 2014

Alemtuzumab in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Since MS is the loss of the myelin sheath, does anyone know if that is one of the side effects of a stroke? Your doctor maybe? If so, would this be useful? And because we don't have a great stroke association to answer these simple questions we are screwed and may never know the answer.
I did have a neurologist tell me that once but I think he was blowing smoke out his ass, because I asked a question he didn't know the answer to.
http://www.dovepress.com/articles.php?article_id=15776

Authors: Fernandez Ó

Published Date February 2014 Volume 2014:7 Pages 19 - 27
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S38079

Óscar Fernandez

Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology Department, Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, FIMABIS, Malaga, Spain

Abstract: Alemtuzumab (formerly known as Campath-1H) has recently been approved by the European Medicines Agency for highly-active, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The molecule targets the CD52 surface glycoprotein on certain T cells and B cells and is thought to exert its effect in MS through a “resetting” of the lymphocyte population. Approval was granted on the strength of two pivotal studies, Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif® Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (CARE-MS)-1 in the first-line setting and CARE-MS-2 in patients who had failed first-line therapy. In both studies, alemtuzumab significantly reduced the relapse rate compared to the comparator, interferon beta-1a (44 µg) given subcutaneously three-times per week (Rebif®). In the first-line study, alemtuzumab was also found to significantly reduce the number of patients with sustained progression compared to interferon beta-1a therapy. Autoimmune disorders represent the major side effect of alemtuzumab therapy although they can be managed by careful monitoring and early treatment. Overall, alemtuzumab is likely to be a valuable addition to the neurologist´s armamentarium for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS.

No comments:

Post a Comment