Treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for the diagnosis and prediction of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in subject. It also provides for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a subject. Thus, in accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a method for treating a subject having neuromyelitis optica (NMO) comprising administering to said subject an inhibitor of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and/or an inhibitor or proliferating inducing ligand (APRIL).

1 . A method for treating a subject having neuromyelitis optica (NMO) comprising administering to said subject an inhibitor of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and/or an inhibitor or proliferating inducing ligand (APRIL). 
     
     
         2 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering to said subject a second NMO therapy. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject suffers from vision impairment, muscle impairment or both. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said subject, following treatment, exhibits an improvement in vision impairment, muscle impairment or both. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is a non-human mammal or a human. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a subject having interferon-resistant multiple sclerosis (MS) comprising administering to said subject an inhibitor of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and/or an inhibitor or proliferating inducing ligand (APRIL). 
     
     
         17 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising administering to said subject a second MS therapy. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said subject suffers from vision impairment, muscle impairment or both. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said subject, following treatment, exhibits an improvement in vision impairment, muscle impairment or both. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said subject is a non-human mammal or a human. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of identifying a subject having multiple sclerosis (MS) that will be resistant to interferon therapy comprising:
 (a) obtaining a sample from said subject; and   (b) assessing levels of a TH17/granulocyte factor, a type 1 interferon, B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and/or proliferating inducing ligand (APRIL) in said sample,   wherein a subject having elevated TH17/granulocyte factors, type 1 interferons, BAFF and/or APRIL levels will not respond to interferon therapy.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising administering to a subject having elevated levels an inhibitor of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and/or an inhibitor or proliferating inducing ligand (APRIL). 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein assessing comprises an immunoassay, mass spectrometry or RT-PCT. 
     
     
         34 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising providing a written communication of said level or levels. 
     
     
         37 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising administering to said subject a second MS therapy. 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said subject suffers from vision impairment, muscle impairment or both. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein said subject, following treatment, exhibits an improvement in vision impairment, muscle impairment or both. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said subject is a non-human mammal or a human. 
     
     
         50 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein more than one of a TH17/granulocyte factor, a type 1 interferon, BAFF and APRIL level is measured. 
     
     
         57 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein more than one of a TH17/granulocyte factor, a type 1 interferon, BAFF and APRIL level are elevated.