BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) (also known as opticomyelitis, Devic’s syndrome/disease) is an idiopathic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system characterized by predominant involvement of the optic nerves, spinal cord, and extensive transverse myelitis. To date, there are no convincing clinical trials that would fully evaluate the efficacy and safety of drugs for the treatment and prevention of NMO exacerbation. Taking into account the malignant course that quickly leads to disability of young, economically active population, the issues of searching for effective methods of NMO treatment remain highly urgent.
AIM: The purpose of the study was to examine available modern methods of treatment and prevention of NMO exacerbation, which have potential and require further detailed clinical trials to ensure possible application of these treatment options in clinical practice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have reviewed previously applied and modern methods of treatment. We have analyzed systematic reviews, clinical, randomized, and retrospective studies of scientific medical databases: PubMed, Cochrane, The Lancet, UpToDate, and reviews of world medical journals in Russian and English.
CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that there is a sufficient number of drugs and combinations of methods of Devic’s disease treatment. We were interested in combinations of rituximab (RIT) and autologous stem cell transplantation, RIT and fetal hepatocyte transplantation, and RIT and strengthening the effect by plasmapheresis sessions. However, successful implementation of these methods in clinical practice requires conducting controlled clinical trials with a larger number of patients and longer follow-up periods.