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Ocrevus’s main immune cell target is B-cells, but a small study has shown that it can also lessen pro-inflammatory immune T-cells in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, neurodegenerative, and demyelinating autoimmune disorder. The primary progressive form (PPMS) is characterized by a worsening of neurologic function with a gradual accumulation of disability from the onset of disease. The limited understanding of the pathogenesis of PPMS has hindered the development of reliable and effective treatments. However, there is an approved intravenous therapy, Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), a humanized monoclonal antibody developed by Genentech for treating patients with PPMS.

An independent study carried out at a Cellular Technology Ltd. cites using HemaCare PBMCs in their efforts to replicate physiological B cell activation in an assay format. [1]

Memory B cells function as the foundation of the adaptive immune system, creating a physiological catalogue of foreign antigens that can be used to “recognize” invading pathogens and trigger an immune response. Memory B cells can survive for decades, creating long-term protection against diseases that have been encountered previously.

Scientists examined the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) profiles of patients with and without psoriasis, including those that both responded to classic treatments and didn’t respond. They then analyzed the profile of those immune cell types. Here are the results of that study.

There are often differences among patient populations for a given disease in how effective a treatment provides medical relief. An important part of personalized medicine is identifying patients that are not likely to respond to a treatment regimen for a specific disease or condition. Doing this can limit the loss of time and resources in using ineffective treatments and can allow the use of personalized treatments in these populations.

A new year brings opportunities to reflect and make decisions to produce more success and happiness. These include New Year resolutions about stopping unhealthy habits and replacing with new healthy ones. Whether the goal is to eat more spinach or spend less time playing games on android phones, many will embark on changes aimed to reach health goals. There are new and emerging therapies that can help many who are struggling with medical issues to reach their health goals for the New Year. Developments such as in immunotherapy are changing the way medicine is practiced. It also provides new approaches that help our natural defense mechanisms lead us to healthier states.

There are two broad populations of B cells, B-1 and B-2. B-1 cells are the primary B cell during fetal and neonatal development. These cells can self-renew and localize mainly in the peritoneal and pleural cavities. B-1 cells produce the majority of “natural” antibodies, immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgA. Natural antibodies exist in the blood of healthy individuals before immunization, are the first line of defense against pathogens (disease-causing antigens), and they also influence T cell expansion.