Real-world comparison of lymphopenia profiles in S1P receptor modulators for multiple sclerosis: a multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators, regulating the S1P/S1PR pathway, lead to lymphocyte sequestration in lymphoid organs, which results in peripheral lymphopenia. This study evaluates the degree of lymphopenia induced by S1P modulators in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Ozanimod, Siponimod, Ponesimod, and Fingolimod.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study across thirteen MS centers in Italy, including 191 MS patients (mean age 46.

Switch from fingolimod to ozanimod for safety or intolerance reasons.

Introduction: Ozanimod is a new-generation sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) modulator, approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), offering higher selectivity for S1P receptor 1 and 5 (SPR1-5), minimizing potential safety concerns related to S1P3 receptor activation, compared to fingolimod.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the adherence and persistence on treatment in MS patients switched to ozanimod from fingolimod for safety reasons (mainly lymphopenia or liver enzymes increase).

Methods: We retrospectively recruited patients treated with fingolimod who switched to ozanimod for safety reasons, with at least 12 months of follow-up.

Role of Ocrelizumab in modulating gene and microRNA expression in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease and one of the most significant challenges in modern neurology, impacting approximately 2.8 million people globally. As a multifactorial condition, susceptibility to MS can result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Rituximab in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A 5-Year Observational Study.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a severely disabling autoimmune disease that predominantly impacts the optic nerves and spinal cord. It is often linked to immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies targeting the aquaporin-4 water channel (AQP4-IgG). Rituximab, which depletes CD20-positive B cells, is effective in reducing the frequency of NMOSD relapses.

MicroRNA-142-3p shuttling in extracellular vesicles marks regulatory T cell dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.

CD4CD25FoxP3 regulatory T cells (T cells) are key controllers of immune self-tolerance, and their suppressive function is impaired in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRR-MS). Because the mechanisms underlying this condition are still ill-defined, we investigated the role of T cell-derived extracellular vesicles (T-EVs) in T cell dysfunction observed in pwRR-MS. We found that T-EVs from healthy individuals inhibit CD4 conventional T (T) cells by shuttling miR-142-3p from the T cell to the T cell.

Identifying Cladribine prescription pattern in MS: an Italian multicentre study.

Background: Characterizing Cladribine tablets prescription pattern in daily clinical practice is crucial for optimizing multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment.

Objectives: To describe efficacy, safety profile and new disease-modifying therapy (DMT) prescriptions following Cladribine treatment.

Design: Independent retrospective cohort study in patients followed at six Italian MS centres.

Impact of Lifestyle Interventions on Multiple Sclerosis: Focus on Adipose Tissue.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS), affecting individuals globally. The pathological mechanisms underlying MS remain unclear, but current evidence suggests that inflammation and immune dysfunction play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MS disease. Adipose tissue (AT) is a dynamic multifunctional organ involved in various immune diseases, including MS, due to its endocrine function and the secretion of adipokines, which can influence inflammation and immune responses.

Pediatric-onset Multiple Sclerosis treatment: a multicentre observational study comparing natalizumab with fingolimod.

Background: Pediatric-onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS) patients show more inflammatory disease compared with adult-onset MS. However, highly effective treatments are limited with only fingolimod being approved in Italy and natalizumab prescribed as off-label treatment.

Objectives: to compare the efficacy of natalizumab versus fingolimod in POMS.

Predicted Expenditure for Prescription Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis in the Italian Market Between 2023 and 2028: Results of the Oracle Project.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that leads to impaired cognitive function and accumulation of disability, with significant socioeconomic burden. Serious unmet need in the context of managing MS has given rise to ongoing research efforts, leading to the launch of new drugs planned for the near future, and subsequent concerns about the sustainability of healthcare systems. This study assessed the changes in the Italian MS market and their impact on the expenditures of the Italian National Healthcare Service between 2023 and 2028.

The multidimensional assessment of body representation and interoception in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The mental representation of the body (or body representation, BR) derives from the processing of multiple sensory and motor inputs and plays a crucial role in guiding our actions and in how we perceive our body. Fundamental inputs for BR construction come also from the interoceptive systems which refer to the whole bidirectional processes between the brain and the body. People with Multiple sclerosis (MS) show an abnormal multisensory integration which may compromise BR and interoception integrity.

NEDA-3 achievement in early highly active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with Ocrelizumab or Natalizumab.

Background: in the early stages of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), initiating high-efficacy disease-modifying therapy (HE DMTs) may represent an optimal strategy for delaying neurological damage and long-term disease progression, especially in highly active MS patients (HAMS). Natalizumab (NAT) and Ocrelizumab (OCR) are recognized as HE DMTs with significant anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigates NEDA-3 achievement in treatment-naïve HAMS patients receiving NAT or OCR over three years.

Ocrelizumab and ofatumumab comparison: an Italian real-world propensity score matched study.

Background: The management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has undergone transformative evolution with the introduction of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), specifically anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, such as ocrelizumab (OCR) and ofatumumab (OFA).

Materials And Methods: This is an independent retrospective cohort study in Relapsing MS (RMS) patients followed at eight Italian MS centers who initiated treatment with OCR or OFA in the participating centers and with at least 12 months on therapy. A generalized linear regression model inverse probability of treatment weight (IPTW) PS-adjusted was performed to evaluate the relationship between annualized relapse rate (ARR) and treatment groups.

Ocrelizumab Alters Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Function While Reducing EBV-Specific CD8 T-Cell Proliferation in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: The role of B cells in the pathogenic events leading to relapsing multiple sclerosis (R-MS) has only been recently elucidated. A pivotal step in defining this role has been provided by therapeutic efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. Indeed, treatment with anti-CD20 can also alter number and function of other immune cells not directly expressing CD20 on their cell surface, whose activities can contribute to unknown aspects influencing therapeutic efficacy.

Exploring Circulating Long Non-Coding RNAs in Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients' Blood.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional clinical stage prior to dementia. Patients with amnestic MCI have a high risk of progression toward Alzheimer's disease. Both amnestic mild cognitive impairment and sporadic Alzheimer's disease are multifactorial disorders consequential from a multifaceted cross-talk among molecular and biological processes.

Apparently isolated CNS involvement in Erdheim-Chester disease: Case report.

We present the case of a 48-year-old-woman with apparently isolated central nervous system Erdheim-Chester disease characterized by brainstem involvement. Erdheim-Chester disease is extremely rare and multisystem impairment should always be sought in the suspicion of such pathology.

Comparing face-to-face and videoconference assessment of the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the need to evaluate cognitive profile via videoconferencing (teleneuropsychology, TeleNP) as a suitable alternative to face-to-face assessment (F-F).

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and the reliability of Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (R-BRB) remote administration in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Methods: Sixty PwMS underwent R-BRB in two conditions: F-F and TeleNP, 1 month apart.

Adiponectin Alleviates Cell Injury due to Cerebrospinal Fluid from Multiple Sclerosis Patients by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Proinflammatory Response.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease characterized by chronic inflammation and neuronal cell viability impairment. Based on previous studies reporting that adiponectin exhibits neuroprotective effects in some models of neurodegenerative diseases, we analyzed the effects of AdipoRon treatment, alone or in combination with the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with MS (MS-CSF), to verify whether this adipokine acts on the basal neuronal cellular processes. To this aim, SH-SY5Y and U-87 cells (models of neuronal and glial cells, respectively) were exposed to MS-CSF alone or in co-treatment with AdipoRon.

Health related quality of life in the domain of physical activity predicts confirmed disability progression in people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: The diagnosis of the progression phase of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is still retrospective and based on the objectivation of clinical disability accumulation.

Objectives: To assess whether the Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs) scores predict the occurrence of disease progression within three years of follow-up.

Methods: Observational prospective multicenter study.

Antibody response elicited by the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster in patients with multiple sclerosis: Who gains from it?

Background And Purpose: Although two doses of COVID-19 vaccine elicited a protective humoral response in most persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), a significant group of them treated with immunosuppressive disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) showed less efficient responses.

Methods: This prospective multicenter observational study evaluates differences in immune response after a third vaccine dose in pwMS.

Results: Four hundred seventy-three pwMS were analyzed.

Validation of an iPad version of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS).

Background: The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) is the most widely used screening tool for cognitive impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, the administration and scoring procedures of the paper version are time consuming and prone to errors. Aim of our study was to develop a tablet version of BICAMS (iBICAMS), and to assess its reliability compared to the paper version.

Alemtuzumab-Related Lymphocyte Subset Dynamics and Disease Activity or Autoimmune Adverse Events: Real-World Evidence.

Background And Objectives: alemtuzumab is a monoclonal anti-CD52 antibody acting on B and T cells in highly active multiple sclerosis (MS). We analyzed changes in lymphocyte subsets after alemtuzumab administration in relation to disease activity and autoimmune adverse events.

Methods: lymphocyte subset counts were assessed longitudinally using linear mixed models.

Therapeutic Plasmapheresis: A Revision of Literature.

Background: Therapeutic plasmapheresis (TP) is an extracorporeal therapy that allows the removal of pathogens from plasma. The role of TP in immuno-mediated diseases and toxic conditions has been of interest for decades.

Summary: We reviewed the recent literature on the application and the optimal choice of TP technique ranging from plasma exchange, double filtration plasmapheresis, rheopheresis, immunoadsorptions, plasma adsorption perfusion and lipidoapheresis.