PML

Testing for 4 Gene Variations May Predict Risk of PML Brain Infection

Genetic variations in certain genes may increase the risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a serious brain infection associated with certain treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions, a new study shows. The findings suggest that testing for four specific genetic variant could help to predict…

1 Year of Ocrevus Not Linked to Higher Risk of Brain Infection PML

One year of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) treatment does not increase the risk for a rare brain infection ā€” called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) ā€” in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a study suggests. The study, ā€œRisk Assessment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Multiple Sclerosis Patients during…

Biogen Presents Update on its MS Therapeutic Portfolio

Biogen has released new data on several of its therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS), including Vumerity (diroximel fumarate), Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), and Tysabri (natalizumab). The data ā€” six presentations ā€” originally were to be presented at the 2020 annual conference of the American…

Need to Know: Blood Tests and Multiple Sclerosis

Editor’s note: “Need to Knowā€ is a series inspired by common forum questions and comments from readers. Have a comment or question about MS? Visit our forum. This week’s question is inspired by the post “Is It a Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis or Something Else?” from July 20, 2018.

Immune System Activation Induced by Filgrastim Likely Beneficial for Patients with Tysabri-associated PML, Study Says

Immune system activation induced by filgrastim may be beneficial for patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with the use of Tysabri (natalizumab), without worsening multiple sclerosis (MS) progression, a study says. The study with that finding, “Treatment of natalizumabā€associated PML with filgrastim,” was published in…

#AANAM – Research Suggests Extended Interval Dosing of Tysabri Can Decrease Risk of PML

New data suggests that treatment withĀ TysabriĀ (natalizumab) in an extended interval dosing regimen is associated with a significantly lower risk ofĀ progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathyĀ (PML) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), compared with the standard interval dosing. The data was presented byĀ Lana Zhovtis Ryerson, MD, on May 7 at the 2019Ā …

Switching from Tysabri to Aubagio Can Help Lower Relapse Risk in MS Patients, Phase 4 Trial Shows

Stable patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who transition from Tysabri (natalizumab) treatment toĀ Aubagio (teriflunomide) have a lower relapse risk, a new study shows. The study, ā€œReducing return of disease activity in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis transitioned from natalizumab to teriflunomide: 12-month interim results of teriflunomide therapy,ā€…

Good News for Tysabri Users Who Are JCV Positive

One of the many disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) that I’ve been on over the many years of my treatment for MS is Tysabri (natalizumab). It worked well, holding the progression of my MS at bay for the several years that I received the infusions. I’d probably still be on it…

#ACTRIMS2018 ā€“ Combo Can Stop Tysabri-related PML Infection from Worsening, Case Study Shows

A combination of an anti-viral therapy and the anti-depressive mirtazapine can stop the worsening of an infection linked to the multiple sclerosis therapyĀ Tysabri (natalizumab), a case study suggests. The infection, John Cunninghan polyomavirus, can cause a potentially fatal brain infection known as Ā progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML. Both…

#ACTRIMS2018 ā€“ Extending Tysabri Treatment Intervals May Reduce PML Risk, TOUCH Registry Data Suggest

Extending the dosing periods of Tysabri (natalizumab) treatment may help reduce the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients infected with the JC virus, a study suggests. The study, ā€œNatalizumab Extended Interval Dosing Is Associated with a Reduction in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy…

Top 10 Multiple Sclerosis Articles of 2017

Multiple Sclerosis News Today brought you daily coverage of important discoveries, treatment developments, clinical trials, and other events dealing with multiple sclerosis throughout 2017. We look forward to providing more news to MS patients, family members, and caregivers during 2018. As a reminder of what mattered most to you in…

A JC Virus Primer

There is often alarm and confusion about the JC virus, how we get it, and what it means to people with multiple sclerosis. This is my quick primer to help address these questions in a very basic way. What is the JC virus? The first person identified with this…

Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Revises MRI Guidelines

The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers has updated guidelines for using magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate people suspected of having multiple sclerosis. Doctors use the MRI guidelines not only to diagnose MS but also to track treatment results. A task force is reviewing the new guidelines before they're published. The working document is called Ā "Revised Guidelines of the CMSC MRI Protocol for the Diagnosis and Follow-up of MS." The task force, composed of neurologists, radiologists and imaging scientists experienced in MS, met in January 2017 to revise the guidelines. They also updated information about the situations for which standardized brain and spinal cord MRI scans should be used. One change is a recommendation that gadolinium, a contrast agent in scans, be used cautiously. The previous update, published in 2015, included no constraints on the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents.Ā But soon after publication, information emerged showing that gadolinium, although not toxic, accumulates in the brain. This prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to recommend limiting the use of gadolinium to ā€œappropriate clinical circumstances.ā€ To mirror the increased awareness of gadolinium deposits, the new guidelines say: ā€œWhile there is no known central nervous system toxicity, these agents should be used judiciously, recognizing that gadolinium continues to play an invaluable role in specific circumstances related to the diagnosis and follow-up of individuals with MS.ā€ Since 2009, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers has addressed a number of other issues. One is encouraging the use of three-dimensional MRI for brain scans. Another is developing protocols for monitoring severe optic nerve inflammation and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, a brain disease caused by a virus. The guidelines have been revised to recommend the specific timing of scans for monitoring PML. The update also includes recommendations for theĀ timing of scans on patients receiving disease-modifying drugs. Since 2009, the guidelines have included recommendations on scans of radiologic isolated syndrome, a condition where MS-like MRI lesions are present without symptoms. And they have included provisions onĀ the value of using MRI changes to evaluate treatment effectiveness. The centers' goal "is to standardize the MRI protocol and make these recommendations a useful guideline for neurologists, neuroradiologists, and related healthcare professionals during initial evaluations and during follow-up of patients with MS, and ultimately provide optimum care for those individuals dealing with this unpredictable disease,ā€ June Halper, the centers' chief executive officer, said in a press release.