A UK study reports that 22% of patients treated with alemtuzumab developed autoimmune disorders, notably autoimmune thyroiditis, which occurred in 15.7% (Cossburn et al. Neurology 2011; 2011; 77:573-579). Secondary autoimmunity developed most commonly in months 12-18 of treatment and was evident for up to five years. Risk factors included a family history of autoimmune disorders (OR 7.31) and smoking history (OR 3.05).
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Potassium channel activator useful in partial-onset seizures
December 14, 2011Retigabine (ezogabine in the U.S.), which activates KCNQ2/2 potassium channels, is effective as an adjunctive treatment in partial-onset seizures, according to the results of the phase III RESTORE 1 trial (French et al. Neurology 2011; 76: 1555-1563).
ADAPT trial update: NSAIDs in AD
December 14, 2011The Alzheimer’s Disease Anti-Inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT) was launched a decade ago to determine if an NSAID (naproxen 220 mg BID or celecoxib 200 mg BID) could delay the onset of AD (ADAPT Research Group et al. Alzheimers Dement 2009; 5: 93-104; free full text at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866447/pdf/nihms185404.pdf). The trial was suspended in 2004 following the finding from the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) trial of an increased cardiovascular risk with celecoxib (Solomon et al. N Engl J Med 2005; 352: 1071-1080; free full text at www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa050405).
Indeed, data from ADAPT subsequently suggested an increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk with celecoxib and naproxen (ADAPT Research Group. PLoS Clin Trials 2006; 1: e33; free full text at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1851724/pdf/pctr.0010033.pdf).
Emerging MS therapies: update on injectable drugs
November 30, 2011REPORT FROM THE 25TH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR TREATMENT AND RESEARCH IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (ECTRIMS) – AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, OCTOBER 19-22, 2011 – Late-breaking sessions at ECTRIMS 2011 presented phase III data for two novel MS therapies administered by injection/infusion.