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The US Food and Drug Administration. recently approved the ocrelizumab monoclonal antibody, which received wide indication both for the recurring as well as for her primary progressive form of multiple sclerosis, which constitute the majority of cases of the disease at diagnosis. The primarily developing form, characterized by continuous progression of the patient's disability from the onset of the disease, without distinct relapses or periods of remission and represents the 15% of cases. Until today no treatment for primary progressive multiple sclerosis had been approved in the US, while also despite the available treatments there are patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, who continue to show disease activity and progression of their disability. Ocrelizumab is a monoclonal antibody, which is designed to selectively target a specific type of immune system cell, called CD20- B-lymphocytes, which are thought to contribute to the destruction of myelin (substance that plays a key role in insulating and supporting nerve cells) and in axial damage (in nerve cells). This destruction of nerve cells can lead to disability in people with multiple sclerosis. Based on preclinical studies, ocrelizumab binds to CD20 cell surface proteins, expressed on some B cells, but not in stem cells or plasma cells, and therefore important functions of the immune system can be preserved. Ocrelizumab will be given to patients intravenously every 6 months (twice a year) and will be able to change the course of the disease for people with multiple sclerosis. The marketing authorization application for ocrelizumab has also been validated by the European Medicines Agency and is currently under review.
The US Food and Drug Administration. recently approved the ocrelizumab monoclonal antibody, which received wide indication both for the recurring as well as for her primary progressive form of multiple sclerosis, which constitute the majority of cases of the disease at diagnosis. The primarily developing form, characterized by continuous progression of the patient's disability from the onset of the disease, without distinct relapses or periods of remission and represents the 15% of cases. Until today no treatment for primary progressive multiple sclerosis had been approved in the US, while also despite the available treatments there are patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, who continue to show disease activity and progression of their disability. Ocrelizumab is a monoclonal antibody, which is designed to selectively target a specific type of immune system cell, called CD20- B-lymphocytes, which are thought to contribute to the destruction of myelin (substance that plays a key role in insulating and supporting nerve cells) and in axial damage (in nerve cells). This destruction of nerve cells can lead to disability in people with multiple sclerosis. Based on preclinical studies, ocrelizumab binds to CD20 cell surface proteins, expressed on some B cells, but not in stem cells or plasma cells, and therefore important functions of the immune system can be preserved. Ocrelizumab will be given to patients intravenously every 6 months (twice a year) and will be able to change the course of the disease for people with multiple sclerosis. The marketing authorization application for ocrelizumab has also been validated by the European Medicines Agency and is currently under review.