MS and Demyelinating Disorders

The professor of neurology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine discussed the trial design of VIOLA, a new prospective study evaluating responses to COVID-19 vaccines in patients with MS on ocrelizumab (Ocrevus; Genentech). [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

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In the final day’s plenary session at ECTRIMS Congress, Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FCAHS, gave a look into some of the notable presentations from the annual meeting.

An indirect comparison study evaluated relative treatment effects of eculizumab (Soliris; Alexion), inebilizumab (Uplizna; Horizon), and satralizumab (Enspryng; Genentech), the 3 FDA-approved options for NMOSD.

The workshop included weekly virtual meetings on journaling, meditation, yoga therapeutics, among other activities.

Neurology News Network for the week ending October 15, 2021. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Investigators concluded that treatment with high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies was a protective factor in disease prognosis.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on NeurologyLive's highlights from the week ending October 15, 2021.

The Zimmermann Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Pediatrics at Stanford University spoke on the safety and efficacy of ublituximab in treating patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Data presented at the ECTRIMS Congress 2021 noted immunity was reduced in patients taking anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies.

The director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Ochsner Health discussed the open-label extension data presented at ECTRIMS Congress on ATA188 in progressive MS. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

The vast majority of patients with MS, 63.4%, who initiated ofatumumab treatment in the 6 months after its approval had mild disability, while only 29.2% had moderate disability and 7.4% had severe disability.

The treatment effect observed from nabiximols (Sativex; GW Pharmaceuticals) was significant at all 1-week time points over the course of the 12-week study.

Lawrence Steinman, MD, Zimmermann Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Pediatrics at Stanford University, discussed findings presented at ECTRIMS 2021.

Data from the EXPAND trial show that after 12 months of treatment, changes on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness favored those on siponimod rather than the placebo group.

The director of the Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research at Cleveland Clinic provided context on whether efficacy outcomes should be weighed more than mechanistic action when evaluating MSC-NTF cell therapies. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

In addition to the data presented at ECTRIMS Congress 2021, Atara Bio is investigating the therapy in an ongoing and enrolling phase 2 study, EMBOLD (NCT03283826), which is expected to read out interim results in early 2022.

After vaccination, patients showed no increased risk of relapse activity, but had varied immune response depending on the disease-modifying therapy they were treated with.

Investigators found that Hispanic and African American patients had an increased risk of developing ambulatory disability, when compared to Caucasian patients with MS.

The clinical research director of the USCF Multiple Sclerosis Center discussed the importance of improving knowledge and education for patients with NMOSD, as well as strategies to do so. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

In data presented at ECTRIMS 2021, from years 1-5, the proportions of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis achieving NEDA-3 status ranged from 63%to 75%.

The director of the Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research at Cleveland Clinic discussed the use of MSC-NTF cells in progressive MS and the data backing this approach. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Investigators highlighted the need to integrate research frameworks to analyze and understand these interrelationships, developing appropriate interventions for the Black, Latinx, and Hispanic populations with NMOSD and MS.

Discussing the 3 FDA-approved treatments for NMOSD, the clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center commented on the positive impact, as well as resultant barriers to care. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

The neurologist at Wayne State University provided background on why there needs to be a continued focus on including and studying African American patients with NMOSD in trials. [WATCH TIME 3 minutes]

Neuromyelitis optica patient Doug highlights the types of treatments he has received since his diagnosis and provides suggestions to patients on navigating therapy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kim, a patient with neuromyelitis optica, describes what it has been like receiving rituximab infusions as preventive therapy, and shares advice for others who are about to embark on a similar treatment journey.

The clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center provided an overview on the state of care for NMOSD, specifically the development of inebilizumab, satralizumab, and eculizumab. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Here's what is coming soon to NeurologyLive.

The division chief of vascular neurology at the University of Utah discussed the individual role that clinicians and neurologists can play to increase interest in the field of neurology. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]