Natalizumab Discontinuation and Treatment Strategies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Retrospective Study from Two Italian MS Centers.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Natalizumab (NTZ) discontinuation can be followed by multiple sclerosis (MS) disease reactivation. Currently no disease-modifying drug (DMD) has been shown to be able to abolish disease reactivation. The aims of the current study were: (1) to determine the frequency of MS reactivation after NTZ discontinuation; (2) to evaluate predictors of reactivation risk, and (3) to compare the effect of different treatments in reducing this risk.

Methods

Data from 132 patients with MS followed-up for 2 years before NTZ treatment and 1 year after interruption were collected from two Italian MS centers and retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Overall, 72 of 132 patients (54.5%) had relapses after NTZ discontinuation and 60 of 125 patients (48%), who had magnetic resonanc

SUBMITTER: Lo Re M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4685862 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature