2025 Volume 42 Issue 4 Pages 758-761
To observe changes in medical treatment after introducing biologics to patients with antiaquaporin–4 antibody–positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), we retrospectively reviewed the clinical courses of 27 patients in our clinic in Kochi, Japan.
After introducing the biologics to 19 patients, the median period of observation was 12 months. In all patients, we tapered the prednisolone dose without any further relapse. We introduced the biologics to 14 of the 15 patients who developed the first attack after 2019, when the biologics were approved. Among these patients, 8 received biologics after the first ever attack. There were 12 patients who experienced the first attack before 2019, of whom 6 patients experienced relapses after 2019, with all having received the biologics.
The use of biologics for the reduction of relapse with antiaquaporin–4 antibody–positive NMOSD resulted in both a reduced prednisolone dose and relapse rate. Careful observation of patients is warranted regarding relapses and adverse events during long–term use of these biologics.
