REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, SAN DIEGO, CA, MARCH 16-23, 2013 – It is well established that the frequency of MS relapses declines during pregnancy, then returns to pre-pregnancy levels during the postpartum period. Recent studies suggest that parity may also have an impact on long-term disability.
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Update on treatment trials: teriflunomide, daclizumab and CombiRx
March 21, 2013REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, SAN DIEGO, CA, MARCH 16-23, 2013 – TOWER is the second of three phase III studies investigating the safety and efficacy of oral teriflunomide, the active metabolite of leflunomide which acts by inhibiting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. The drug received FDA approval in September 2012 but has not yet been approved in Canada.
Effect of NaCl on pathogenic Th17 cells
March 21, 2013REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, SAN DIEGO, CA, MARCH 16-23, 2013 -High sodium chloride levels promote the differentiation of proinflammatory Th17 cells that are highly pathogenic, according to the preliminary results of an in vitro study in naïve human CD4+ cells (Kleinewietfeld et al. AAN 2013; abstract S11.004).
Application to FDA for first-line natalizumab
March 13, 2013Biogen Idec has applied to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency to extend the indication for Tysabri (natalizumab) to include first-line use in MS. The first-line indication would be for patients with relapsing MS who had tested negative for JC virus antibodies. At present, the indication for use of natalizumab is as a second-line treatment option for patients who fail prior therapy or have rapidly evolving MS.