MS Active Source

Treatment

• Introduction
• Introduction to MS
• MS treatments
  • Intro to MS treatments
  • Interferons
  • Avonex
  • Betaferon
  • Rebif
  • Glatiramer acetate
  • Copaxone
  • Natalizumab
  • Tysabri
  • Treatment of relapses
  • Risk-sharing scheme
  • Progressive MS
• Positive approach
• Newly diagnosed?
• Relative with MS
• Links
• Principles of treatment

Tysabri [natalizumab] ( RefT4 )

Tysabri (natalizumab) belongs to a novel class of drug known as selective adhesion molecule (SAM) inhibitor; it is also a disease modifying treatment (DMT); however it works in a different way to older DMTs.

Natalizumab, the active substance in Tysabri, is a monoclonal antibody that has been designed to recognise and bind to a specific structure (an antigen) that is that is found on certain cells in the body. This structure is called an integrin; the integrin is found on the surface of the white cells in the blood which are involved in the inflammation process of MS. By attaching to the integrin, natalizumab stops the white blood cells from moving the blood stream into the brain. This reduces inflammation, and the nerve damage caused by MS.

Tysabri is used to treat patients who have highly active relapsing remitting MS.

Tysabri is marketed by Biogen Idec Ltd and Elan Pharma International Ltd in the UK and Ireland.

Tysabri was recommended for use on the NHS in England and Wales by NICE in July 2007. (refT5)

Use of this product will be determind by your neurologist according to guidance layed out in the risk-sharing scheme. More information can be found by going to www.mstrust.org.uk

More detailed prescribing information on Tysabri can be found by going to   www.medicines.org.uk. Typing Tysabri in the search box and pressing Go will bring you to a patient information leaflet on Tysabri.

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