The MS nurse's role in managing natalizumab therapy in patients with relapsing-remitting MS

Abstract

In this article, an overview of current pharmacological therapies used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) will be provided. MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in the Western world. While there is no cure, recent advancements in drug therapy may alter the long-term outcome of this disease, offering more hope to individuals living with MS. This article will focus on natalizumab (Tysabri), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that significantly reduces relapses and disease progression in relapsing-remitting MS. However, it has been associated with increased risk of a potentially fatal brain infection, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The MS nurse's role in educating, administering and monitoring patients on this drug will be considered. In the future, mAb therapy will alter the way in which MS is treated, and therefore the skills and knowledge of the MS nurse will have to continually evolve in order to care for patients on this therapy and administer these drugs safely.