Maria Wójcik-Jawień, Wojciech Walczuk
Natalizumab - skuteczność i bezpieczeństwo
2007-07-22
Natalizumab - the efficacy and safety. Natalizumab is the first ?4 integrin antagonist in a new class of selective adhesion molecule inhibitors. It has proven efficacy in the treatment of two serious autoimmune disorders: multiple sclerosis (MS) and Leśniowski-Crohnęs disease. Its efficacy in MS is much higher than the older generation drugs: interferons and glatiramer acetate. Unfortunately, natalizumab increases the risk of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML), an apportunistic viral infection of the brain that usually leads to death or severe disability. The absolute risk for PML cannot be precisely estimated, thatęs why natalizumab is approved only under a restricted distribution program.