ALAIN01--Alemtuzumab in autoimmune inflammatory neurodegeneration: mechanisms of action and neuroprotective potential.

Background: Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada®) is a newly approved therapeutic agent for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In previous phase II and III clinical trials, alemtuzumab has proven superior efficacy to subcutaneous interferon beta-1a concerning relapse rate and disability progression with unprecedented durability and long-lasting freedom of disease activity. The humanized monoclonal antibody targets CD52, leading to a rapid and long-lasting depletion, especially of B and T cells.

Allergy immunotherapy with a hypoallergenic recombinant birch pollen allergen rBet v 1-FV in a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Pollen extracts and chemically modified allergoids are used successfully in allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Recombinant extracts offer potential advantages with respect to pharmaceutical quality, standardization and dosing. A hypoallergenic recombinant folding variant of the major birch pollen allergen (rBet v 1-FV) was compared with an established native birch preparation.

Efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and tolerability of mometasone furoate, levocabastine, and disodium cromoglycate nasal sprays in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Background: Current guidelines recommend intranasal glucocorticosteroids as first-line therapy for seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Objective: To compare the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and tolerability of the topical glucocorticosteroid mometasone furoate, the topical antihistamine levocabastine hydrochloride, and the cromone disodium cromoglycate in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Methods: This study was performed during the 2003 grass pollen season as an open, randomized, parallel-group, single-center study of 123 patients assigned to receive mometasone furoate (200 microg once daily), levocabastine hydrochloride (200 microg twice daily), or disodium cromoglycate (5.