Dr. Salwa A. Fam studies neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), which is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting the nervous system. She investigates various treatment options for patients, including vaccinations and therapies like rituximab, eculizumab, and ravulizumab. Her work emphasizes understanding patient preferences regarding treatments, especially in terms of minimizing the risk of disease relapses. She also conducts research on multiple sclerosis, exploring the safety and efficacy of medications used in long-term management.
Key findings
After meningococcal vaccination, only 3.3% of patients with NMOSD experienced disease relapses, indicating safe vaccination practices.
Among surveyed patients with AQP4-Ab+ NMOSD, 68% preferred a treatment similar to ravulizumab prioritizing reduced relapse risk in the first year.
Switching from rituximab to eculizumab reduced hospitalizations from 45% to 10% and average hospital stays from 8.5 days to 2.5 days.
Patients on ravulizumab were 91% less likely to experience relapses compared to those on inebilizumab and 92% less likely compared to satralizumab.
In a study on daclizumab beta for relapsing multiple sclerosis, 90% of participants continued treatment long-term with a low relapse rate of 0.21 per year.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Fam study neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder?
Yes, Dr. Fam specializes in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and focuses on treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
What treatments has Dr. Fam researched for NMOSD?
She has researched multiple treatments including eculizumab, rituximab, and ravulizumab, comparing their effectiveness and patient preferences.
Is Dr. Fam's work relevant to multiple sclerosis patients?
Yes, Dr. Fam studies treatments for multiple sclerosis, including the safety and long-term effects of daclizumab beta.
What is the focus of Dr. Fam's research on patient preferences?
Her research involves understanding what factors matter most to patients when selecting treatments for NMOSD, particularly the importance of minimizing relapse risk.
How have Dr. Fam's findings affected treatment strategies?
Her research has led to improved treatment strategies by identifying effective medications and understanding patient preferences, guiding better healthcare decisions.
Publications in plain English
Patient Preferences for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) Treatments: Results from a Discrete Choice Experiment Study in the USA.
2026
The patient
Abbatemarco JR, Kielhorn A, Yu JC, Fam S, Myers K +2 more
Plain English This study looked at what patients with a specific type of neurological disease called anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-Ab+ NMOSD) prefer when it comes to treatments. Researchers surveyed 255 patients and found that the most important factor for them was minimizing the chance of disease relapse in the first year, which was prioritized over how often they had to take the medication. The results showed that 68% of patients preferred a treatment similar to ravulizumab over others, suggesting that understanding these preferences can help make better treatment decisions for patients.
Who this helps: Patients with AQP4-Ab+ NMOSD benefit the most from this information as it guides their treatment choices.
Low Incidence of Relapses After Vaccination in Anti-Aquaporin-4 Antibody-Positive NMOSD.
2026
Annals of clinical and translational neurology
Pittock SJ, Nakahara J, Parks B, Allen K, Fam S
Plain English This study looked at patients with a specific type of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and how they responded to meningococcal vaccination while on a particular treatment. Researchers found that only 3.3% of patients experienced disease relapses after vaccination, suggesting that the vaccine has a low chance of causing problems in most cases. This is important because it shows that vaccinated patients can generally do so safely without significantly increasing their risk of worsening symptoms.
Who this helps: This helps patients with NMOSD and their doctors.
Switching from Rituximab to Eculizumab in US Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Impact on Hospitalizations.
2025
Neurology and therapy
Lee J, Kielhorn A, Fam S, Riser E, Flanagan EP
Plain English This study looked at how moving from the treatment rituximab to eculizumab affected patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in the U.S. Researchers found that after switching to eculizumab, the number of patients who had to be hospitalized dropped from 45% to 10%, and the average number of hospital admissions per patient decreased from 1.1 to 0.1. Additionally, the length of hospital stays significantly shortened from an average of 8.5 days to just 2.5 days, illustrating that eculizumab may be a more effective treatment for this disease.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with NMOSD who are seeking better management of their condition.
Network Meta-analysis of Ravulizumab and Alternative Interventions for the Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.
2024
Neurology and therapy
Clardy SL, Pittock SJ, Aktas O, Nakahara J, Isobe N +6 more
Plain English This study looked at how effective a new treatment called ravulizumab is for patients with a specific autoimmune disorder known as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), especially compared to existing treatments like eculizumab, inebilizumab, and satralizumab. The researchers found that patients using ravulizumab had significantly lower risk of experiencing relapses—about 91% less likely compared to inebilizumab and 92% less likely compared to satralizumab. Additionally, when combining ravulizumab with other therapies, the treatment showed even more effectiveness against attacks of the disease.
Who this helps: This helps patients with AQP4-Ab+ NMOSD seeking more effective treatment options.
Safety and efficacy of daclizumab beta in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis in a 5-year open-label study (EXTEND): final results following early termination.
2021
Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders
Kappos L, Cohan S, Arnold DL, Robinson RR, Holman J +4 more
Plain English This study looked at the safety and effectiveness of a drug called daclizumab beta in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis over five years. Out of 1,203 participants, 92% experienced side effects, with common issues including MS relapses and infections; 29% had serious side effects, and there were some treatment-related deaths. These findings highlight the importance of close monitoring of patients using this medication for long-term treatment.
Who this helps: Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis and their healthcare providers.
Long-term safety and efficacy of daclizumab beta in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: 6-year results from the SELECTED open-label extension study.
2020
Journal of neurology
Gold R, Radue EW, Giovannoni G, Selmaj K, Havrdova EK +10 more
Plain English This study looked at the long-term effects of a drug called daclizumab beta on people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis over a period of up to six years. They found that most participants (90%) who began the treatment continued for a long time, with a low relapse rate of 0.21 per year and a stable disability progression rate of 17.4%. The treatment was generally safe, with 87% experiencing some adverse events, but no deaths occurred.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and their doctors by providing important information about a long-term treatment option.
Lymphocyte reconstitution after DMF discontinuation in clinical trial and real-world patients with MS.
2020
Neurology. Clinical practice
Chan A, Rose J, Alvarez E, Bar-Or A, Butzkueven H +17 more
Plain English This study looked at how quickly the immune cells (lymphocytes) recover after people with multiple sclerosis stop taking a medication called dimethyl fumarate (DMF). Researchers found that most patients who experienced low lymphocyte counts while on DMF saw their levels return to normal within 2 to 4 months after stopping the drug. However, those who had severe low lymphocyte levels for more than three years took much longer—up to 18 months to recover.
Who this helps: This information benefits doctors and patients with multiple sclerosis who are managing treatment and potential side effects of DMF.
alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid subtype glutamate receptor (AMPAR) endocytosis is essential for N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced neuronal apoptosis.
2004
The Journal of biological chemistry
Wang Y, Ju W, Liu L, Fam S, D'Souza S +3 more
Plain English This study examined how certain receptors in brain cells, known as NMDARs, lead to cell death when they are overly activated. Researchers found that when NMDARs are stimulated, they trigger a process that causes another type of receptor, AMPARs, to be pulled inside the cell, which is crucial for cell death to occur. Specifically, blocking this process significantly reduced cell death caused by NMDAR activation, indicating a link between these receptors and nerve cell survival.
Who this helps: Patients with neurological disorders who suffer from excessive nerve cell death.
Treatment outcome after tangential radiation therapy without axillary dissection in patients with early-stage breast cancer and clinically negative axillary nodes.
1997
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
Wong JS, Recht A, Beard CJ, Busse PM, Cady B +10 more
Plain English This study looked at how well tangential radiation therapy works for older women with early-stage breast cancer who do not have cancer in their lymph nodes, without needing to remove those lymph nodes. Out of 92 women treated, none had cancer return in the lymph nodes, and only 2 had breast cancer come back. This matters because it shows that a simpler treatment can be effective, reducing the need for more invasive procedures.
Who this helps: This helps older women with early-stage breast cancer and their doctors.
Hemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae as causative agents of pneumonia in Egyptian preschool children: analysis and serotyping of Hemophilus isolates from hospital patients in Cairo, 1991-93.
1995
The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
Khallaf N, Assaad MT, Helmy MF, Mansour H, Isaac N +3 more
Plain English This study looked at the causes of pneumonia in Egyptian preschool children by analyzing samples from over 1,600 kids under five who visited hospitals between 1991 and 1993. Researchers found that Hemophilus influenzae was responsible for just 0.5% of pneumonia cases, while Streptococcus pneumoniae caused about 3.1%. Notably, the dangerous strains of Hemophilus were mostly found in infants under one year old during a specific winter season, highlighting a need for more research to understand the role of these bacteria and the effectiveness of current vaccines in Egypt.
Who this helps: This research is important for healthcare providers and policymakers working to improve pneumonia prevention strategies for young children in Egypt.