[Clinical overview of neuromyelitis optica]

Updated diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Similar outcomes of previously separate cohorts

Background

The specificity of the aquaporin-4 antibody to predict recurrent inflammatory central nervous system disease has led to the design of the 2015 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder criteria which capture all aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive patients.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare treatment outcomes in aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive patients who met the previous 2006 clinical criteria for neuromyelitis optica with patients who meet the 2015 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder criteria.

Methods

The study involved a three-center retrospective chart review of clinical outcomes among aquaporin-4 patients diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Results

Hazard ratios of relapse during immunosuppressive therapy, relative to pre-therapy, were not significantly different for patients who met the 2006 criteria of neuromyelitis optica versus the 2015 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder criteria among those treated with azathioprine ( p = 0.24), mycophenolate mofetil ( p = 0.63), or rituximab ( p = 0.97).

Conclusion

Reductions in the hazard of relapse during treatment with immunosuppressive therapies, relative to average pre-treatment, were not different for aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive patients categorized using the 2006 criteria of neuromyelitis optica and the 2015 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder criteria. These therapeutic findings support the design of the 2015 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder criteria which capture all aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive patients.

Bevacizumab is safe in acute relapses of neuromyelitis optica

OBJECTIVES

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a relapsing autoimmune disease targeting the spinal cord and optic nerve leading to paralysis and blindness. Current treatment for acute NMO attacks is immunosuppression with high-dose corticosteroids and/or plasmapheresis. Preclinical animal studies suggest that bevacizumab might be beneficial in limiting the extent of inflammation during a NMO relapse by reducing the disruption of the blood-brain barrier.

METHODS

We carried out an open-label phase 1b safety and proof-of-concept trial in 10 participants with NMO immunoglobulin G seropositive NMO, NMO spectrum disease and those at high risk for developing NMO/NMO spectrum disease who presented with an acute attack of transverse myelitis, optic neuritis or brainstem inflammation. In addition to treating with 1 g of daily intravenous methylprednisolone, we infused 10 mg/kg of bevacizumab intravenously on day 1 of treatment. The primary outcome measure was safety and the secondary outcome measure was efficacy.

RESULTS

Of the 10 participants enrolled, five presented with acute transverse myelitis, four with acute optic neuritis and one with a brainstem lesion. Bevacizumab was safe in all 10 participants, with only one serious adverse event within the 90-day follow up that was not attributed to the medication. Three patients recovered to pre-attack neurological function or better, and no patients required escalation to plasmapheresis.

CONCLUSIONS

Bevacizumab is a safe add-on therapy to high-dose corticosteroids for NMO/NMO spectrum disease patients presenting with an acute relapse.