Latest Conference Coverage

The Zimmermann Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Pediatrics at Stanford University discussed the treatment’s potential in the multiple sclerosis space, where there are other competing drugs with similar safety profiles. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Megan Weigel, DNP, APRN-C, APHN-C, MSCN, discussed findings from a study of integrative medicine via a virtual, 6-week workshop, which produced varied results.

After showing potential remyelination effects, the director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Ochsner Health offered her perspective on the latest data for ATA188 in progressive MS. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

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]

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.

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.

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]

Gennero Pagano, MD, MSc, PhD, expert medical director, Roche, provided thoughts on the investigational agent prasinezumab, overall Parkinson drug development, and MDS Virtual Congress.

The expert medical director at Roche provided detail on results from the phase 2 PASADENA study presented at the 2021 MDS Virtual Congress. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

David R. Lynch, MD, PhD, professor of neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, discussed why omaveloxolone’s recent success speaks to the progress made within the FA treatment space.

When used for at least 30 days, it was reported that patients with essential tremor reported improvement in tremor power following 54% of sessions.

The professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussed the state of care for Friedrich ataxia and omaveloxolone’s potential to become its first approved therapy.

Following her presentation at MDS 2021, the PhD candidate in epidemiology at Erasmus University Medical Center discussed highlights from this year’s virtual congress. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

The professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussed whether omaveloxolone’s therapeutic benefit is enough for it to become the first approved therapy for Friedrich ataxia. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]