Efficacy and Side Effects of Natalizumab Therapy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoepner, Robert; Faissner, Simon; Salmen, Anke; Gold, Ralf; Chan, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Journal of central nervous system disease. Volume 6(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: immunomodulatory therapy -- progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy -- side effects -- risk management strategies; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Brain -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Spinal cord -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases; Brain Diseases; Brain -- Diseases; Central nervous system -- Diseases; Spinal cord -- Diseases; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodicals; 573.863905
• DOI: 10.4137/JCNSD.S14049
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1179-5735

Abstract

Natalizumab (Nat) is a humanized monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Nat inhibits lymphocyte migration via the blood brain barrier (BBB) by blockage of an integrin adhesion molecule, very late antigen 4. During the phase III clinical trials, it was shown that Nat reduces disease activity and prevents disability progression. In addition, several smaller studies indicate a positive influence of Nat on cognition, depression, fatigue, and quality of life (Qol). Therapeutic efficacy has to be weighed against the risk of developing potentially fatal progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an opportunistic infection by JC-virus (JCV) with an incidence of 3.4/1000 (95% CI 3.08–3.74) in Nat treated MS patients. In this review article, we will review data on the presumed mechanism of Nat action, clinical and paraclinical efficacy parameters, and adverse drug reactions with a special focus on PML.