[Image from Cleveland Clinic]
2. Novel drug for primary-progressive multiple sclerosis
In patients with multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the fatty protective myelin sheath that covers the nerve fibers, which can cause communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. It can lead to permanent damage or deterioration and eventual death, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
About 15% of people with MS experience a subset of the disease known as primary-progressive, which is characterized by gradual onset and steady progression of signs and symptoms.
“This specific treatment is meant to impact the disease itself — both the MRI appearance of the disease and functional measures that matter and being able to maintain the life that they want to have at its fullest,” Dr. Adrienne Boissy, Cleveland Clinic chief experience officer, said during the virtual event.
A new, FDA-approved therapeutic monoclonal antibody with a novel target is the first and only MS treatment for the primary-progressive population.
