Inhibition of CD40L with Frexalimab in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: The CD40-CD40L costimulatory pathway regulates adaptive and innate immune responses and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Frexalimab is a second-generation anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody being evaluated for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Methods: In this phase 2, double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned, in a 4:4:1:1 ratio, participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis to receive 1200 mg of frexalimab administered intravenously every 4 weeks (with an 1800-mg loading dose), 300 mg of frexalimab administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks (with a 600-mg loading dose), or the matching placebos for each active treatment.

Placebo-Controlled Trial of an Oral BTK Inhibitor in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) regulates the functions of B cells and myeloid cells that are implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Evobrutinib is a selective oral BTK inhibitor that has been shown to inhibit B-cell activation both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, phase 2 trial, we assigned patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis to one of five groups: placebo, evobrutinib (at a dose of 25 mg once daily, 75 mg once daily, or 75 mg twice daily), or open-label dimethyl fumarate (DMF) as a reference.

European Stroke Organisation certification of stroke units and stroke centres.

To improve quality and to overcome the wide discrepancies in stroke care both within- and between European countries, the European Stroke Organisation Executive Committee initiated in 2007 activities to establish certification processes for stroke units and stroke centres. The rapidly expanding evidence base in stroke care provided the mandate for the European Stroke Organisation Stroke Unit-Committee to develop certification procedures for stroke units and stroke centres with the goals of setting standards for stroke treatment in Europe, improving quality and minimising variation. The purpose of this article is to present the certification criteria and the auditing process for stroke units and stroke centres that aim to standardise and harmonise care for stroke patients, and hence become members of the European Stroke Organisation Stroke Unit and Stroke Centre network.

Is herpes simplex a systemic disease?

Orofacial herpes simplex virus infections are usually caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), and HSV-2 infections have been accepted as a sexually transmitted disease. HSV establishes a latent infection in the dorsal root ganglia of the host and remains there for the rest of life. HSV affects mainly skin and genitalia, although in immunocompromised patients it may cause local infection with vast skin involvement, chronic herpetic ulcers, or widespread mucous membrane damage, as well as systemic infections localized in the central and peripheral nervous systems, gastrointestinal tract, and ocular system.

Herpes zoster as a systemic disease.

Herpes zoster (shingles, zona) is a viral infection commonly affliccting the skin and the nervous system with an overall occurring rate of 3 to 5 cases per 1000 persons per year, with higher rates in middle or later life. With the advancement of medicine, more and more case reports have started to emerge showing different incidences of VZV, some new localizations, clinical presentations, and complications, which break the well-known fact that "VZV affects the skin and nervous system." Skin lesions are the most important ones for the early and exact diagnosis of herpes zoster (HZ), due to its visibility and well-defined clinical picture of lesions.