2020 Volume 37 Issue 3 Pages 407-410
Molecular targeted therapy including monoclonal antibody therapy is a new treatment strategy for demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). In Japan, only fingolimod and natalizumab are currently approved for treatment in MS. A novel S1P receptor modulator and a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 are willing to be approved soon. In NMO, several monoclonal antibodies are waiting for the approval in Japan. Although either drug has a strong effect to prevent relapses in NMO, the indication should be considered by their high costs. In this review, I summarize the characteristics of each molecular targeted therapy.
