Natalizumab is effective as second line therapy in the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Natalizumab has been recommended for the treatment of patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis with insufficient response to interferon-beta (IFN-beta) or glatiramer acetate (GA).


METHODS
Prospective, observational study.


RESULTS
We found a reduction of the annualized relapse rate from 2.1 under IFN-beta or GA to 0.2 one year after switching to natalizumab. There were 94% fewer gadolinium enhancing lesions with natalizumab.


CONCLUSIONS
Natalizumab reduced short term clinical and MRI activity in second line therapy and efficacy is comparable to first line therapy as demonstrated in the pivotal trials.
Putzki
N
N
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. norman.putzki@uni-due.de
Kollia
K
K
Woods
S
S
Igwe
E
E
Diener
H C
HC
Limmroth
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000069442:Natalizumab; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069442:Natalizumab; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D005682:Gadolinium