Natalizumab in progressive MS: Results of an open-label, phase 2A, proof-of-concept trial

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Treatment, therapies and management:



This study investigated the effects of natalizumab in 24 patients with progressive MS. Each patient received natalizumab treatment for 60 weeks. The response to natalizumab was assessed by monitoring changes in biomarkers of CSF inflammation and MRI studies. The CSF biomarkers they analyzed were osteopontin, axonal damage and demyelination.

To evaluate MRI changes, they used magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) sequences. Osteopontin is a protein involved in stimulating immune cell activity.



They found that CSF osteopontin decreased significantly from baseline to week 60, in conjunction with decreases in other CSF biomarkers of inflammation, while MTR increased significantly, in both cortical grey and white matter. They also found that the MTR increases were related to decreased axonal damage.



Authors: Christensen R, Ratzer R.

Source: Neurology. 2014 Mar 28. [Epub ahead of print]

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