Inebilizumab

Inappropriate growth of or self-directed antibody production by B-cells is the etiological underpinning of a variety of conditions, including the multiple sclerosis-like neurological condition neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Inebilizumab is a humanized afucosylated monoclonal IgG1 antibody directed against the broadly expressed B-cell surface antigen CD19. Inebilizumab is cytolytic, resulting in B-cell depletion and offering therapeutic benefit to patients suffering from NMOSD. Compared to the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab, which is also used to treat NMOSD, inebilizumab has broader specificity. Inebilizumab was granted FDA approval on June 11, 2020, for the treatment of anti-aquaporin 4 positive NMOSD patients. Given its mechanism of action and good safety profile, it may prove useful in the treatment of other conditions linked to autoimmune antibody production or B-cell malignancies.

Inappropriate growth of or self-directed antibody production by B-cells is the etiological underpinning of a variety of conditions, including the multiple sclerosis-like neurological condition neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Inebilizumab is a humanized afucosylated monoclonal IgG1 antibody directed against the broadly expressed B-cell surface antigen CD19. Inebilizumab is cytolytic, resulting in B-cell depletion and offering therapeutic benefit to patients suffering from NMOSD. Compared to the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab, which is also used to treat NMOSD, inebilizumab has broader specificity. Inebilizumab was granted FDA approval on June 11, 2020, for the treatment of anti-aquaporin 4 positive NMOSD patients. Given its mechanism of action and good safety profile, it may prove useful in the treatment of other conditions linked to autoimmune antibody production or B-cell malignancies.

Inebilizumab is indicated for the treatment of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) immunoglobulin-positive (AQP4-IgG) neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients.

• Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders