Natalizumab is effective as second line therapy in the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Natalizumab has been recommended for the treatment of patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis with insufficient response to interferon‐beta (IFN‐beta) or glatiramer acetate (GA). Method: Prospective, observational study. Results: We found a reduction of the annualized relapse rate from 2.1 under IFN‐beta or GA to 0.2 one year after switching to natalizumab. There were 94% fewer gadolinium enhancing lesions with natalizumab. Conclusion: Natalizumab reduced short term clinical and MRI activity in second line therapy and efficacy is comparable to first line therapy as demonstrated in the pivotal trials.