Effect of Tysabri in Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Follow-up Magnetization Transfer Imaging (MTI) Study

Magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) is a widely used tool for characterizing the evolution of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and normal appearing brain tissue (NABT). As remyelination and demyelination are heterogeneous in each lesion and NABT, techniques such as voxel-wise based MTR dynamic mapping may help predict an individual's clinical course, as well as the effect of treatment, by revealing evidence of myelin repair and neuroprotection.

Natalizumab (Tysabri) showed a robust effect on the decrease of inflammation in phase II and III clinical trials, as evidenced by the decrease in Gd enhancing and T2 lesions and on the decrease of clinical activity as measured by reduction of clinical relapses and progression of disability. The effect of Tysabri on non-conventional measures is only partially known.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient diagnosed with clinically definite MS according to the Polman criteria
• Age 18-65
• Have a RR disease course
• Have EDSS scores less than or equal to 5.5 {Kurtzke, 1983 #15}
• Have disease duration less than 20 years
• Fulfilled the TOUCH enrollment requirements and started on Tysabri monotherapy
• Signed informed consent
• None of the exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

• Primary progressive, secondary progressive, or progressive relapsing MS. Primary progressive, secondary progressive or progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis.
• A clinically significant infectious illness (e.g., cellulitis, abscess, pneumonia, septicemia) within 30 days prior to drug start.
• History of, or abnormal laboratory results indicative of, any significant cardiac, endocrinologic, hematologic, hepatic, immunologic, metabolic, urologic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, psychiatric, renal, and/or other major disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the administration of natalizumab for the duration of the study.
• History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions or known drug hypersensitivity.
• Abnormal blood tests, performed at the screening visit, which exceed any of the limits defined below:
• ALT/ SGPT, or AST/ SGOT > three times the upper limit of normal (i.e., 3xULN).
• Total white blood cell (WBC) count <2,300/mm3.
• Platelet count <100,000/mm3.
• Creatinine > 2xULN.
• Prothrombin time (PT) > ULN.
• Any prior treatment during the 2 weeks prior to study screening with agents such as IFN-β, GA, IVIG, or on the following immunosuppressant therapies for less than 3 months: mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, cladribine, fludarabine, cyclosporine, azathioprine, methotrexate, Cellcept, etc.
• History of alcohol or drug abuse within 2 years prior to randomization.
• Female subjects who are not postmenopausal for at least 1 year, surgically sterile, or willing to practice effective contraception (as defined by the investigator) during the study. The rhythm method is not to be used as the sole method of contraception.
• Nursing mothers, pregnant women, and women planning to become pregnant while on study.
• Unwillingness or inability to comply with the requirements of this protocol including the presence of any condition (physical, mental, or social) that is likely to affect the subject's ability to comply with the study protocol.
• Any other reasons that, in the opinion of the Investigator, indicate that the subject is unsuitable for enrollment into this study.