title: Treating multiple sclerosis with natalizumab.
abstract: Natalizumab is the first monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Pivotal trials demonstrated the efficacy of natalizumab on clinical and paraclinical measures of disease activity and disability progression. Although a direct comparison has not been performed yet, natalizumab seems to be more efficacious than the currently available immunomodulant drugs, such as IFN-β and glatiramer acetate. Despite its efficacy, the occurrence of an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with the treatment, raises concerns about its widespread use in multiple sclerosis patients. This paper provides an overview of the most relevant results from the Phase I-IV studies on natalizumab and highlights the challenges addressed to minimize and manage its adverse events in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iaffaldano
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lucchese
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trojano
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000069442:Natalizumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069442:Natalizumab