Kottil Rammohan, MD: The new MS drug Gilenya (fingolimod)

Interviewed by Steven Greer, MD

Kottil Rammohan, MD, Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Division of Neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, discusses the newly approved drug for first-line therapy of MS branded as Gilenya (fingolimod). He addresses the efficacy of the drug and whether the cost of more than $40,000 per year will limit the usage to second-line therapy.

 

Eugene Major, PhD: JC virus levels and the risk for PML with Tysabri

The HCC interviewed the Chief of the labs at the NIH that tests samples of patients who develop PML while on Tysabri, Dr. Major. This lab gives data and advice to the FDA. Dr. Major wrote the recent perspective in the NEJM. Viremia of JC virus is currently not a risk factor for PML and serial testing for JC levels is not part of the TOUCH risk management program.