Tysabri shows benefits in Multiple Sclerosis patients

Patients with Multiple Sclerosis who take anti-inflammatory Tysabri (natalizumab), from Biogen and Elan, for two years showed a reduced risk of experiencing at least one relapse (at 2 years this was reduced by 40%). The study also showed that the number of patients whose disability progressed in the time interval was reduced by 25%. In addition, MRI scans showed evidence that treatment with Tysabri reduced disease activity. Treatment also created some side effects including limb swelling, rigors, vaginal inflammation and menstrual disorders and 2 patients treated with Tysabri for more than 2 years developed Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, a rare and often fatal viral disease. In light of this, the researchers recommend further studies. The review was published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: "Natalizumab for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis" by Eugenio Pucci et al. Issue 105 OCT 2011.Tysabri is approved in the USA and EU.