Natalizumab for MS: New Guidelines, and Findings on Vision

One new report presents guidelines aimed at maximizing patient benefit and early identification of PML, and a second report describes the finding of reduction in subtle vision changes with natalizumab.

Natalizumab, initially introduced for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in November 2004, was abruptly withdrawn 3 months later when three clinical trial participants were found to have developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Two participants had MS and had received the combination of natalizumab and interferon beta-1a. The drug was subsequently reintroduced in a carefully controlled program.

Now, Kappos and colleagues have reviewed the clinical results of treatment with natalizumab and its association with PML to provide risk-management guidelines. The authors are MS neurologists and PML experts, some of whom were investigators in the original clinical trials. These authors highlight the inability t…

Reviewing Author

Aaron E. Miller, MD