Extended Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Methods for extended treatment of multiple sclerosis are described.
1 . A method of treating a subject having multiple sclerosis (MS), the method comprising administering, to the subject, a therapeutically effective amount of a VLA-4 binding antibody for at least 24 months.
2 . A method of treating a subject having MS, the method comprising:
selecting a patient who has received at least 22 doses of a VLA-4 binding antibody over a period of 24 months; and
administering to the patient at least one course of VLA-4 binding antibody therapy sufficient to provide an improved therapeutic effect compared to before commencement of VLA-4 binding antibody therapy.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the course comprises at least 3 administrations of a therapeutically effective amount of a VLA-4 binding antibody.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the administrations are monthly administrations.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the administrations are monthly IV administrations.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VLA-4 binding antibody is administered for at least 30 months.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VLA-4 binding antibody is administered for at least 36 months.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VLA-4 binding antibody is administered for at least 48 months.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is administered the VLA-4 binding antibody according to a regimen that is effective to achieve at least 50% alpha4 integrin receptor saturation in the subject.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is administered a plurality of doses of the VLA-4 binding antibody intravenously, wherein each dose is between 200 and 400 mg.
11 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the course comprises a plurality of doses of the VLA-4 binding antibody intravenously, wherein each dose is between 200 and 400 mg.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VLA-4 binding antibody is administered in combination with a second therapeutic agent.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has a type of multiple sclerosis selected from the group consisting of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, primary-progressive (PP) multiple sclerosis, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, and progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VLA-4 binding antibody inhibits VLA-4 interaction with VCAM-1.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VLA-4 binding antibody is natalizumab.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VLA-4 binding antibody is human or humanized.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the VLA-4 binding antibody competes with HP1/2 or natalizumab for binding to VLA-4.