Ocrevus reduces TH40 cells, a biomarker of systemic inflammation, in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS)

Treating MS has been difficult. One successful drug is Ocrelizumab (anti-CD20), used for the chronic relapsing MS (RMS) and the progressive MS (PMS) forms. TH40 cells are pathogenic effector T cells that increase in percentage and numbers during chronic inflammation. Here we show that in the earliest MS course, clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), TH40 cells expand in number. In PMS TH40 cell numbers remain expanded demonstrating sustained chronic inflammation. In RMS TH40 cells were found in CSF and express CD20. Ocrelizumab reduced TH40 cells to healthy control levels in patients. During treatment inflammatory cytokine producing TH40 cells were decreased.

Automated summary

Treating multiple sclerosis has been challenging, but Ocrelizumab has shown success in treating both chronic relapsing and progressive forms of the disease. In a study, it was found that TH40 cells, which are pathogenic effector T cells, increased in number during the earliest stage of multiple sclerosis (clinically isolated syndrome) and remained expanded in progressive forms of the disease. However, treatment with Ocrelizumab reduced TH40 cell numbers to healthy levels and decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines.