Anti lingo 1 (opicinumab) a new monoclonal antibody tested in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The modern treatment era for MS witnessed a growing pool of drugs now available for use in clinical practice. These therapies work at different levels, however there is a lack of treatments acting on the neurodegenerative component or improving mechanism of repair.

Areas covered: The latest knowledge about the pathophysiological changes occurring in MS have translated into novel treatments at different stages of development. Drugs for MS work mainly through modulating the inflammatory factors of the disease, but enhancing remyelination may be more successful in reducing long-term disability. Anti-LINGO-1 (opicinumab) is the first investigational product that achieved phase I trial with the aim of remyelination and axonal protection and/or repair in MS.

Expert commentary: Over the past decade considerable strength has been applied to find more reliable strategies to improve myelin repair. The anti-LINGO-1 trial showed that the drug is safe and tolerable. A future phase II trial will provide more insights regarding the compound. The greatest challenge for myelin repair therapies will be how to monitor their efficacy. Eventually research will need to focus on consistent tools to assess the grade of remyelination in vivo.

KEYWORDS:

• Opicinumab
• disability
• multiple sclerosis
• neurodegeneration
• remyelination

Declaration of interest

S Ruggieri has received speaking honoraria from Merck-Sereno and Teva and fees has travel expenses from Biogen. C Tortorella has received fees as invited speaker or travel expenses for attending meeting from Merck-Sereno, Teva, Biogen, Sanofi, Novartis, Genzyme and Almirall. C Gasperini has received fees as invited speaker or travel expenses for attending meeting from Biogen, Merck-Serono, Teva, Sanofi, Novartis, Genzyme. A reviewer on this manuscript has disclosed consulting fees and serving on or data monitoring committees by the Rector of Heinrcich Heine University, from BayerHealthcare, Biogen, Geneuro, Genzyme, Medimmune, Merck, Novartis, Oexa, Receptos Celgene, Roche, Sanofi, Teva.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.