Prevention of relapse of neuromyelitis optica (NMO)
Nomura, K.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 72(11): 2023-2030
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 25518388 Document Number: 677560
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.