summary: Natalizumab is a new therapy option for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). It has been suggested that natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy may be prevented by structured interruptions of treatment. The authors studied this drug holiday effect in ten people with MS stringently followed up to six months after discontinuation of the infusions. Seven of ten people with MS suffered from a combination of clinical relapse and new and/or enhanced lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. Although numbers are small the authors concluded that a natalizumab drug holiday without reinstatement of alternate disease-modifying therapy is poorly tolerated.

authors: Killestein J, Vennegoor A, Strijbis EM, Seewann A, van Oosten BW, Uitdehaag BM, Polman CH.

source: Ann Neurol. 2010 Jul 26.

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