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Long-Term Assessment of Natalizumab Therapy

J Neurol Sci; ePub 2016 Mar 16; Prosperin, et al

Natalizumab may ensure a higher proportion of patients achieving sustained long-term disease remission than that previously reported with self-injectable treatments (<10%). This according to a study of 152 patients with relapsing MS up to 7 years after starting natalizumab therapy. Researchers found:

• Of 152 patients, 58 were still on treatment and 94 patients discontinued treatment after a median 3 years.

• According to an intention-to-treat approach, 34% of patients maintained their No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA) status at the end of follow-up.

• The proportion of patients with NEDA increases to 41% after excluding from analysis 64 patients who discontinued natalizumab due to concerns about progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Citation: Prosperin L Fanelli F, Pozzilli C. Long-term assessment of No Evidence of Disease Activity with natalizumab in relapsing multiple sclerosis. [Published online ahead of print March 16, 2016]. J Neurol Sci. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2016.03.025.