An evaluation of ravulizumab for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Following the CHAMPION-NMOSD trial, the FDA recently granted approval for ravulizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against complement C5 protein in AQP-4 seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Similar to eculizumab, ravulizumab offers near-complete prevention of NMOSD relapses, but has a longer half-life, providing decreased infusion frequency and increased convenience for patients. While targeting the complement pathway has clear advantages, patients are at risk for infection with encapsulated organisms, in particular Neisseria meningitidis.

Areas covered: In this paper, we discuss the details of the CHAMPION-NMOSD trial and discuss challenges in meningitis prevention and strategies for switching therapies.

Expert opinion: Ravulizumab improves on eculizumab's success as a highly effective NMOSD therapy by decreasing infusion frequency, thereby increasing patient convenience. We predict that ravulizumab will eventually replace eculizumab but may not have a similar impact on inebelizumab or satralizumab. Patients taking C5 complement inhibitors have an increased risk of serious meningococcal infections, such as invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), and have incomplete protection against IMD despite immunization. Thus, we recommend that in addition to standard pre-immunizations against Neisseria meningitidis, patients should also be assessed for starting on appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis against IMD, based on local resistance patterns.

Keywords: Aquaporin-4; Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder; complement; meningococcus; ravulizumab.