Monoclonal antibodies in treating multiple sclerosis (MS), and related diseases.

About this Research Topic

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with a wide range of complications. Nowadays, administration of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) provide better control of disease course, and MS-related disability. They also improve quality of life, as well as survival.

MS was considered to be a T-cell mediated disease while nowadays, B cells are considered to play role in disease development. CD antigens are a group of cell surface markers that are present in different stages of B cells development and activation.

Monoclonal antibodies revolutionized the treatment of MS and related disorders such as Neuromyelitis Optica, clinically isolated syndrome, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)–IgG-associated disease (MOGAD). They target molecules that are key in the pathogenesis of MS and other related disorders. Some evidence has shown that they are effective in controlling the disease course as well as disease-related disability. In this Research Topic, we will focus on Monoclonal antibodies, their efficacy and safety profiles, their adverse effects, and their administration in pregnant women. Rituximab, Ocrelizumab, Ofatumumab, and Ublituximab are anti CD20 antibodies while Alemtuzumab, is anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody which depletes circulating T and B lymphocytes. Natalizumab (Tysabri) is a monoclonal anti-integrin antibody which prevents migration of immune cells by binding to the alpha 4 subunit of integrins.

The goal of this topic is to gather articles related to treatment of MS, and other related disorders, with monoclonal antibodies. We also appreciate comparison of different monoclonal antibodies and their effects on relapse rate, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and number of plaques in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment. Pregnancy with these medications is also a concern that needs to be addressed.

This Research Topic will broadly accept manuscripts pertaining to:
• Animal studies.
• Clinical trials.
• Observational studies:
_Retrospective or prospective cohort studies;
_Cross-sectional studies.
• Before-after studies evaluating efficacy, safety, and side effects of monoclonal antibodies in treating patients with MS, NMO, and MOGAD.
• Narrative reviews, as well as systematic reviews are very welcome.
• We also look forward to receiving high quality manuscripts regarding pregnancy issues in women treated with these medications.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Therapeutics

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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