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natalizumab
Sunday 12 June 2005
Humanized monoclonal antibody targeting alpha4-beta1 integrin.
Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the cellular adhesion molecule α4-integrin.
Natalizumab is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. It is co-marketed by Biogen Idec and Élan as Tysabri, and was previously named Antegren.
Natalizumab is administered by intravenous infusion every 28 days.
The drug is believed to work by reducing the ability of inflammatory immune cells to attach to and pass through the cell layers lining the intestines and blood-brain barrier.
Natalizumab has proven effective in treating the symptoms of both diseases, preventing relapse, vision loss, cognitive decline and significantly improving quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis, as well as increasing rates of remission and preventing relapse in Crohn’s disease.
Indications
Natalizumab is FDA-approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and Crohn disease and approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis in Europe, but is currently under review by the EMEA.
Links
References
Ransohoff RM. Natalizumab for multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 2007 Jun 21;356(25):2622-9. PMID: 17582072
Steinman L. Blocking adhesion molecules as therapy for multiple sclerosis: natalizumab. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2005 Jun;4(6):510-8. PMID: 15931259
