Intrathecal (IT) Administration of Rituximab to Treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Posted Feb 22 2012 7:00pm
Description of Invention: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurological, autoimmune, demyelinating disease. The pathology of MS is characterized by an abnormal immune response directed against the central nervous system. In particular, T-lymphocytes are activated against the myelin sheath of the neurons of the central nervous system causing demyelination. Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS) is the chronic phase of MS. The majority of people who have relapsing-remitting MS eventually develop SP-MS. There are currently no effective treatments for SP-MS patients who do not have evidence for focal brain inflammation measured by contrast enhancing lesions (CEL) on brain MRI. NIH investigators have proposed that intrathecal administration of Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody (Ab) that depletes B cells and effectively decreases CEL in relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) but does not affect progression of disability in progressive MS, may deplete B cells from the intrathecal compartment leading to inhibition of T cell activation within intrathecal compartment, and thereby provide a novel therapeutic approach to treat SP-MS. A Clinical trial is in progress to evaluate this novel approach.
Applications: Improved therapeutics to treat or prevent Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS).
Advantages: This technology would provide the first effective therapy for Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis patients lacking contrast enhancing lesions.
Double Blind Combination of Rituximab by Intravenous and Intrathecal Injection Versus Placebo in Patients With Low-Inflammatory Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (RIVITaLISe). [ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01212094 ]
For Licensing Information Please Contact: Suryanarayana Vepa Ph.D. NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: vepas@mail.nih.gov Phone: 301-435-5020 Fax: 301-402-0220
Description of Invention:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurological, autoimmune, demyelinating disease. The pathology of MS is characterized by an abnormal immune response directed against the central nervous system. In particular, T-lymphocytes are activated against the myelin sheath of the neurons of the central nervous system causing demyelination. Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS) is the chronic phase of MS. The majority of people who have relapsing-remitting MS eventually develop SP-MS. There are currently no effective treatments for SP-MS patients who do not have evidence for focal brain inflammation measured by contrast enhancing lesions (CEL) on brain MRI. NIH investigators have proposed that intrathecal administration of Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody (Ab) that depletes B cells and effectively decreases CEL in relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) but does not affect progression of disability in progressive MS, may deplete B cells from the intrathecal compartment leading to inhibition of T cell activation within intrathecal compartment, and thereby provide a novel therapeutic approach to treat SP-MS. A Clinical trial is in progress to evaluate this novel approach.
Applications:
Improved therapeutics to treat or prevent Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS).
Advantages:
This technology would provide the first effective therapy for Secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis patients lacking contrast enhancing lesions.
Development Status:
Inventors:
Bibiana Bielekova (NINDS)
Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-249-2011/0
US, Application No. 61/539,870 filed 27 Sep 2011
Relevant Publication:
For Licensing Information Please Contact:
Suryanarayana Vepa Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: vepas@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-5020
Fax: 301-402-0220
Ref No: 2377
Updated: 02/2012