title: [Prevention of relapse of neuromyelitis optica (NMO)].
abstract: Treatment of NMO and NMO spectrum disorders is divided into two objectives: one is to control the inflammatory damage in acute attacks, and other one is a maintenance treatment to avoid relapses. The former is based on high-dose intravenous corticosteroids and plasmapheresis, the latter is based on low-dose corticosteroids and non-specific immunosuppressants; like azathioprine, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and mitoxantrone. New therapy strategies using monoclonal antibodies like rituximab: an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, and eculizumab: an anti-C5 monoclonal antibody, can also prevent relapse of NMO. On the other hand, interferon-β, natalizumab, and fingolimod, a modifying drug of multiple sclerosis, is not effective in NMO spectrum disorders.
authors.forename: Kyoichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nomura
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction