New MS drug shows promise but can trigger serious side effects

摘要

Alemtuzumab,a humanised monoclonal antibody that targets CD52 on lymphocytes and monocytes,may be an effective treatment for early multiple sclerosis(MS),a new study suggests(New England Journal of Medicine 2008;359:1786).However,the drug can trigger serious side effects,most seriously manifesting as immune thrombocytopenic purpura.