He may be talking about Biogen/Roche's ocrelizumab formulation. I know the trials of that are being run at my trial site.
I have heard about the ocrelizumab that immi has mentioned. I have heard much about it through the MS Society here in Canada. Folks here are quite excited about it.
I hope it gets approved soon.
Corrie
Hi Dennis-
Orcelizumab is very similar to Rituxan (rituximab). Both are "CD20" antagonists. CD20 is a protien on the surface of B-cells. B-cells, like T-cells are thought to be demyelination demons.
Rituximab and ocrelizumab wipe out the CD 20 protien. B-cells need th CD20 to survive. Absent the CD20 B-cells are depleted and can't do anymore demyelination damage.
Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody and rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody. The important difference between the two is that Ocrelizumab will have MS "on label", making it much more likely to be covered by insurance.
Kyle
I'm also on a humanised monoclonal antibody, daclizumab. It works on CD25. My neurologist (and principal investigator) believes it will come to market this year on-label, but I've never heard/read it mentioned in relation to PPMS.
Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if that is the stuff he was talking about or not. I did see some reference to PPMS, but the were talking about 2 doses (day 1 & 15) while my Neuro made it seem like it was just one Infusion twice a year.