Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) Drug Development

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a well-known but historically inconsistently defined demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) with a high incidence in the pediatric population. However, the definitive optimal treatments of ADEM are still unknown. With years of experience focusing on drug development for autoimmune disease, Creative Biolabs has a mature platform providing reliable cell therapy and antibody development services to global customers.

Introduction to Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated disease characterized by demyelination and polyfocal neurologic symptoms. It typically occurs after a preceding viral infection or recent immunization. Preceding infection can be identified in 64% to 93% of cases, and the onset of symptoms is typically within 2 to 4 weeks of infection. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is primarily a pediatric disease with an average age at onset of 5 to 8 years. The precise etiology of ADEM is unknown. Evidence of the inflammatory nature of ADEM has been demonstrated by the presence of elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokines and chemokines (involved in helper T cells, regulatory T cells, and B cell pathways) in patients with ADEM.

Fig.1 Magnetic resonance images of the patient before treatment. (Pradhan, 2014)

Present Treatment of ADEM

As ADEM symptoms often mimic acute infection of the CNS, it is not unusual for children with ADEM to initially be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and antiviral medications. However, once the diagnosis of ADEM has been reached, treatment strategies shift to ADEM-specific treatments. There are no large, prospective, or randomized clinical trials of experimental therapeutics in pediatric ADEM, so the definitive optimal treatments are unknown.

The most common acute treatment approach for pediatric ADEM is a three- to five-day course of high-dose intravenous glucocorticoids (either 10 to 30 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone up to the maximum dose of 1000 mg daily or 1 mg/kg/day dexamethasone, no clear maximum daily dose) followed by a prolonged oral steroid taper.
An alternative acute treatment approach is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), dosed at a total dose of 1 to 2 g/kg administered either as a single dose (usually of 1 g/kg) or divided over three to five days (usually 400 mg/kg/ day).
Another alternative acute treatment approach is plasma exchange. Plasma exchange is generally utilized in patients who fail to respond to steroids or IVIG.

Custom Services of ADEM Drug Development

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) Drug Development

Committed to treatment strategy development of the autoimmune disease for years, Creative Biolabs has accumulated extensive professional experience and thus established a comprehensive platform with advanced technologies, high-degree experts, and mature technicians. All these excellent conditions make us capable of providing high-quality drug development services, especially cell therapy and antibody development services to global customers. We are pleased to satisfy every customers’ detailed requirements. We provide global customers with reliable services including but not limited to:

Monoclonal Antibody Development for ADEM
Bispecific Antibody Development for ADEM
Cell-based Therapy for ADEM

The treatments of ADEM are still needed more research and exploration. As an industry-leading global biopharmaceutical company, Creative Biolabs offers customer-satisfied services to global researchers. With multiple advantages, we are your best partner. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us for more information.

Reference

Pradhan, S.; Tandon, R. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis mimicking leukodystrophy. Pediatr Neurol. 2014, 51(5): 749.

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