Satralizumab: an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) consist of a rare autoimmune disorder in which patients suffer from relapses that affect the optic nerve, spinal cord or brainstem. Few have a full recovery. NMOSD is more common in women, the age of onset being around 30-40 years of age depending on race. The prevalence of the condition varies from 0.5-4.4 per 100,000 population. About 80% of patients have antibodies directed against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein that form membrane-bound water transporters in the central nervous system (CNS). This protein is highly expressed in those areas of the CNS often targeted in NMOSD relapses. Satralizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor and thus inhibits IL-6 signaling. Two recent phase III studies have demonstrated that satralizumab significantly reduced the relapse rate in NMOSD by 76-79%. This beneficial effect was apparently confined to patients who have anti-AQP4 antibodies and satralizumab did not reduce the rate of pain or fatigue in NMOSD patients.

• Authors: D M Paton
• Journal: Drugs of today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998) (Drugs Today (Barc)) Vol. 57 Issue 3 Pg. 209-218 (Mar 2021) ISSN: 1699-3993 [Print] Spain
• PMID: 33729218 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2021 Clarivate Analytics.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Aquaporin 4
• Interleukin-6
• satralizumab

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (therapeutic use)
• Aquaporin 4
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-6
• Neuromyelitis Optica (drug therapy)