Residual disability after severe relapse in people with multiple sclerosis treated with disease-modifying therapy.

Background: The rate of post-relapse residual disability in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) treated with disease-modifying drugs (DMD) has not been studied.

Objective: To assess relapse residual disability in DMD-treated RRMS patients.

Methods: We followed DMD-treated RRMS patients presenting with acute relapse who received high-dose steroids.

Polymerase-1 pathway activation in acute multiple sclerosis relapse.

Background: Increased expression of RNA polymerase 1 (POL1) molecular pathway was reported to be associated with increased disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the operating molecular mechanisms that characterize the pattern of acute MS relapse activity has not been thoroughly studied.

Objective: To assess POL1 pathway expression during acute MS relapse.

Use of intravenous immunoglobulin in multiple sclerosis.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) pooled from healthy human volunteers has a role in several immunomodulating mechanisms which may affect the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Modulation of the disease course by IVIg is achieved both by limiting the inflammatory process and by enhancing remyelination. Clinical evidence of the effects of IVIg in multiple sclerosis is based on the results of several trials demonstrating the beneficial effects of IVIg on the relapse rate and on neurological disability.

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment following the first demyelinating event suggestive of multiple sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been reported to reduce disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We assessed the effect of IVIg treatment in patients after the first neurological event suggestive of demyelinative disease and evaluated the occurrence of a second attack and dissemination in time demonstrated by brain magnetic resonance imaging within the first year from onset.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in 91 eligible patients enrolled within the first 6 weeks of neurological symptoms.

T cell vaccination in multiple sclerosis relapsing-remitting nonresponders patients.

Myelin autoreactive T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and lead to propagation of the disease. We evaluated the efficacy of T cell vaccination (TCV) therapy for patients with aggressive relapsing-remitting MS who failed to respond to immunomodulatory treatments. Twenty nonresponders relapsing-remitting MS patients were immunized with autologous attenuated T cell lines after activation with synthetic myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) encephalitogenic peptides.