Natalizumab treatment for multiple sclerosis: updated recommendations for patient selection and monitoring

L Kappos, D Bates, G Edan, M Eraksoy… - The Lancet …, 2011 - thelancet.com
L Kappos, D Bates, G Edan, M Eraksoy, A Garcia-Merino, N Grigoriadis, HP Hartung…
The Lancet Neurology, 2011thelancet.com
Natalizumab, a highly specific α4-integrin antagonist, is approved for treatment of patients
with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). It is generally recommended for
individuals who have not responded to a currently available first-line disease-modifying
therapy or who have very active disease. The expected benefits of natalizumab treatment
have to be weighed against risks, especially the rare but serious adverse event of
progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In this Review, we revisit and update previous …
Summary
Natalizumab, a highly specific α4-integrin antagonist, is approved for treatment of patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). It is generally recommended for individuals who have not responded to a currently available first-line disease-modifying therapy or who have very active disease. The expected benefits of natalizumab treatment have to be weighed against risks, especially the rare but serious adverse event of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In this Review, we revisit and update previous recommendations on natalizumab for treatment of patients with RRMS, based on additional long-term follow-up of clinical studies and post-marketing observations, including appropriate patient selection and management recommendations.
thelancet.com