Neurológia pre prax 5/2017

Efficacy and safety of ocrelizumab in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. T and B lymphocytes play an important role in the pathophysiology of the disease. The majority of anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis affect the activation of T lymphocytes in particular. Ocrelizumab is a novel monoclonal antibody that causes selective depletion of CD20 B lymphocytes. The drug has shown its efficacy in treating multiple sclerosis in both relapsing-remitting and progressive forms. In terms of serious adverse effect rates, no statistically significant differences were found among ocrelizumab, interferon beta-1a, and placebo.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, ocrelizumab, rituximab, CD20