Natalizumab Returns

Natalizumab and immune cells.

U NDERSTANDING THE MECHANISMS UNDERlying the unfortunate occurrence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a disease caused by reactivation of the JC polyomavirus, in a small subset of patients during treatment of autoimmune disease with natalizumab is important at several levels. The most important and immediate outcome would be a more complete appreciation of the risk of PML, no...

[Natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis].

Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative and inflammatory immune disorder in the central nervous system (CNS). Most patients show relapse-remitting clinical course. Some disease modifying medications for preventing the relapses including natalizumab (NTZ) are approved in Japan. Natalizumab (NTZ), a monoclonal antibody against α4 integrin present on the surface of lymphocytes, inhibits the bind...

Natalizumab for relapsing multiple sclerosis.

To the Editor: As Ropper pointed out in his editorial (March 2 issue),1 the three articles on the use of natalizumab in that issue of the Journal are pivotal, but his conclusion that natalizumab is “a potent treatment for multiple sclerosis” may be too sanguine. The similar entry criteria, treatment, and methods of analysis permit clinically useful conclusions to be drawn from the placebocontro...

Switching from natalizumab to fingolimod

Natalizumab and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

the brief reports on natalizumab were referred to biogen idec, the manufacturer, which offers the following response: After learning of one confirmed and one suspected case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients treated with natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan quickly notified the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory authorities. We worked closely with ...