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Heliyon Mar 2024Alemtuzumab (ATZ) is an anti-CD52 humanized monoclonal antibody indicated for treating highly active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). It alters the regulation of the...
BACKGROUND
Alemtuzumab (ATZ) is an anti-CD52 humanized monoclonal antibody indicated for treating highly active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). It alters the regulation of the immune system by depleting circulating lymphocytes. Changes in blood cell count, infusion-related reactions, and changes in vital parameters can be seen in the early period with ATZ.
AIM
Changes in blood tests, serum tests, vital parameters, and characteristics of infusion-associated reactions (IARs) observed during the first course of ATZ treatment and thereafter were evaluated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fever, heart rate (HR), changes in blood and serum tests, and IARs developed after the first course of 23 patients with RRMS who received ATZ treatment were evaluated by comparing the results of 26 patients with RRMS who received only intravenous methylprednisolone.
RESULTS
Mean age was 36.60 ± 8.98, 73.9% female (n = 17), diagnosis time was 8.52 ± 3.64 years, pre-EDSS: 3.93 ± 1.80. No significant difference was found in vital parameters except for sub-febrile fever that developed on the first day. The number of white blood cells increased significantly after the first day. The hemoglobin level did not change. Lymphocyte (very high) and platelet (mild) counts decreased starting from the first days, and eosinophil (very high) and monocyte (moderate) counts decreased from the third day. There were no significant changes in liver enzymes, thyroid function tests, serum urea, creatinine, and lipid profile during 1-year follow-up. The IAR rate was 95.6% and occurred most frequently on the second and third days. The most common are dermatological findings (52%), headache (20%), pain (10%) and fatigue (8%).
CONCLUSION
Alemtuzumab has no appreciable effect on vital parameters during infusion. However, these changes are not clinically correlated, even if there is. Headache in the first days, dermatological (most common) findings, pain, and fatigue are seen in the following days. Most IARs can be resolved with symptomatic treatment and close follow-up. Lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes are significantly reduced and return to baseline levels towards the end of the first year. The first year does not cause significant pathologies in other serum parameters. However, after the first year, watch out for associated autoimmune pathologies, especially thyroid involvement.
PubMed: 38444472
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26900 -
Transplant International : Official... 2023The purpose of pancreas or islet transplantation is to restore glycemic control in order to mitigate diabetes-related complications and prevent severe hypoglycemia....
The purpose of pancreas or islet transplantation is to restore glycemic control in order to mitigate diabetes-related complications and prevent severe hypoglycemia. Complications from chronic pancreas allograft rejection may lead to transplantectomy, even when the endocrine function remains preserved. We present first evidence of a successful HLA incompatible islet re-transplantation with islets isolated from a rejecting pancreas allograft after simultaneous kidney pancreas transplantation. The pancreas allograft was removed because of progressively painful pancreatic panniculitis from clinically uncontrolled chronic rejection. The endocrine function was preserved. Induction treatment for this "islet alloautotransplantation" consisted of plasmapheresis, IVIg and alemtuzumab. At 1 year, the patient retained islet graft function with good glycemic control and absence of severe hypoglycemia, despite persistent low-grade HLA donor-specific antibodies. His panniculitis had resolved completely. In our point of view, islet alloautotransplantation derived from a chronically rejecting pancreas allograft is a potential option to salvage (partial) islet function, despite preformed donor-specific antibodies, in order to maintain stable glycemic control. Thereby it protects against severe hypoglycemia, and it potentially mitigates kidney graft dysfunction and other diabetes-related complications in patients with continued need for immunosuppression and who are otherwise difficult to retransplant.
Topics: Humans; Pancreas; Transplantation, Homologous; Kidney; Antibodies; Hypoglycemia; Allografts
PubMed: 37692453
DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11505 -
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) Nov 2023T-prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare malignancy of mature T-cells with distinct clinical, cytomorphological, and molecular genetic features. The disease typically... (Review)
Review
T-prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare malignancy of mature T-cells with distinct clinical, cytomorphological, and molecular genetic features. The disease typically presents at an advanced stage, with marked leukocytosis, B symptoms, hepatosplenomegaly, and bone marrow failure. It usually follows an aggressive course from presentation, and the prognosis is often considered dismal; the median overall survival is less than one year with conventional chemotherapy. This case report describes a patient with T-PLL who, after an unusually protracted inactive phase, ultimately progressed to a highly invasive, organ-involving disease. After initial treatments failed, a novel treatment approach resulted in a significant response.
Topics: Humans; Alemtuzumab; Leukemia, Prolymphocytic; Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, T-Cell
PubMed: 37999147
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30110727 -
Clinical Transplantation Jan 2024IgA nephropathy (IgAN) can cause end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This study assesses the impact of induction and maintenance immunosuppression on IgAN recurrence, graft...
INTRODUCTION
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) can cause end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This study assesses the impact of induction and maintenance immunosuppression on IgAN recurrence, graft survival, and mortality in living and deceased donor kidney transplants (LDKT and DDKT).
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of the UNOS database in adults with ESKD secondary to IgAN who received kidney transplants between January 2000 and June 30, 2022. Patients with thymoglobulin (ATG), alemtuzumab, or basiliximab/daclizumab induction with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with or without prednisone maintenance were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors correlated with IgA recurrence. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed for clinically suspected risk factors. Kaplan Meir Analysis was utilized for overall graft survival.
RESULTS
Compared to ATG with steroid maintenance, alemtuzumab with steroid increased the odds of IgAN recurrence in DDKTs (OR 1.90, p < .010, 95% CI [1.169-3.101]). Alemtuzumab with and without steroid increased the odds of recurrence by 52% (p = .036) and 56% (p = .005), respectively, in LDKTs. ATG without steroids was associated with less risk of IgAN recurrence (HR .665, p = .044, 95% CI [.447-.989]), graft failure (HR .758, p = .002, 95% CI [.633-.907]), and death (HR .619, p < .001, 95% CI [.490-.783]) in DDKTs. Recurrence was strongly associated with risks of graft failure in DDKTs and LDKTs and death in LDKTs.
CONCLUSION
In patients with IgAN requiring a kidney transplant, Alemtuzumab induction correlates with increased IgAN recurrence. Relapse significantly affects graft survival and mortality. ATG without steroids is associated with the least graft loss and mortality.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Alemtuzumab; Glomerulonephritis, IGA; Retrospective Studies; Kidney Transplantation; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Steroids; Graft Survival; Graft Rejection
PubMed: 38127110
DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15225 -
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Mar 2024Data comparing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts in children after alemtuzumab-based...
Alemtuzumab, Dual Graft-versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis, and Lower CD3 T Cell Doses Equalize Rates of Acute and Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease in Pediatric Patients Receiving Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Matched Unrelated Donor Peripheral Blood Stem Cells or Bone...
Data comparing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts in children after alemtuzumab-based conditioning are lacking. We investigated whether in vivo T cell depletion using alemtuzumab could reduce the risk of severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and chronic GVHD (cGVHD) after HSCT with matched unrelated donor (MUD) BM or PBSCs. This retrospective multicenter study included 397 children (BM group, n = 202; PBSC group, n = 195) who underwent first MUD HSCT at 9 pediatric centers in the United Kingdom between 2015 and 2019. The median age at transplantation was 7.0 years (range, .1 to 19.3 years), and the median duration of follow-up was 3.1 years (range, .3 to 7.5 years). The 3-year overall survival was 81% for the entire cohort (BM group, 80%; PBSC group, 81%). The incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD was significantly higher in the PBSC group (31%) compared to the BM group (31% versus 19%; P = .003), with no difference in the incidence of grade III-IV aGVHD (BM, 7%; PBSC, 12%; P = .17). CD3 T cell dose >5 × 10/kg and the use of PBSCs were independent predictors of grade II-IV aGVHD. When considering CD3 T cell dose and GVHD prophylaxis, PBSC transplantation with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and a CD3 T cell dose ≤5 × 10/kg had a comparable grade II-IV aGVHD to BM transplantation plus a CNI (20% versus 18%; P = .52). PBSC transplantation was associated with a lower incidence of cGVHD compared to BM transplantation (6% versus 11%; P = .03). Within the limits of this study, we identified a potential strategy to reduce the risk of severe GVHD in pediatric PBSC recipients that includes a combination of in vivo T cell depletion using alemtuzumab and dual GVHD prophylaxis (with a CNI and MMF) and limiting the CD3 T cell dose to ≤5 × 10/kg.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Young Adult; Alemtuzumab; Bone Marrow; Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells; T-Lymphocytes; Unrelated Donors
PubMed: 38103787
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.12.005 -
Therapeutic Advances in Neurological... 2024While evidence highlights the effectiveness of initiating disease-modifying therapy with a high-efficacy medication for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with poor...
BACKGROUND
While evidence highlights the effectiveness of initiating disease-modifying therapy with a high-efficacy medication for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with poor prognostic factors, it remains unclear whether this approach has been adopted by a broad range of MS providers in Germany yet.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the adoption of the early highly effective treatment (EHT) compared to the treat-to-target treatment approach with the option of escalating treatment efficacy over time in Germany based on real-world evidence data.
DESIGN
Patient-level pharmacy dispensing data from the Permea platform were analysed from 2020 to 2022.
METHODS
In total, 29,529 therapy beginners (>18 years) were included to analyse shifts in treatment approaches over time and switching behaviour. Medication classification adhered to the German Society of Neurology guidelines and designated fumarates, glatiramer acetate, teriflunomide and interferons as low-efficacy category 1 medications; cladribine and S1P-modulators as medium-efficacy category 2 medications; and alemtuzumab, natalizumab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab and rituximab (off-label) as high-efficacy category 3 medications.
RESULTS
Our results show that 70.0% of patients redeemed their first prescription for category 1 medication, 16.3% for category 2 and 13.7% for category 3 medications. The proportion of prescriptions filled shifted from 2020 to 2022 with a decrease of 14.7% for category 1 drugs and an increase of 12.5% for category 3 drugs. 93.2% of patients stayed on their initially prescribed medication category. 3.2% of category 1 and 3.7% of category 2 therapy beginners escalated to category 3 medication. 3.4% of category 3 medication users de-escalated their treatment to category 1 or category 2.
CONCLUSION
While most individuals started their treatment according to the treat-to-target approach and remained on their initially prescribed medication category, there has been a steadily increasing shift towards the EHT approach since 2020. These insights demonstrate that, while not officially recommended by German guidelines, MS providers increasingly adopt the EHT approach.
PubMed: 38525488
DOI: 10.1177/17562864241237857 -
Journal of Neurology Jun 2024To compare the effectiveness of early intensive treatment (EIT) versus escalation treatment (ESC) in a nationwide observational cohort of almost 1000 people with... (Observational Study)
Observational Study Comparative Study
OBJECTIVES
To compare the effectiveness of early intensive treatment (EIT) versus escalation treatment (ESC) in a nationwide observational cohort of almost 1000 people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The EIT cohort started with alemtuzumab (AZM), cladribine (CLAD), fingolimod (FTY), natalizumab (NTZ), ocrelizumab (OCR), or ozanimod (OZA); whereas, the ESC cohort was escalated from dimethylfumarate (DMF) or teriflunomide (TERI) to AZM, CLAD, FTY, NTZ, OCR, or OZA within the Austrian MS Treatment Registry. Patients had to stay on therapy for at least 3 months and up to 16 years. The EIT cohort included 743 and the ESC cohort 227 RRMS patients. We used multinomial propensity scores for inverse probability weighting in generalized linear (GLM) and Cox proportional hazards models to correct for the bias of this non-randomized registry study.
RESULTS
Estimated mean annualized relapse rates (ARR) were 0.09 for EIT and 0.4 for ESC patients. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) in the GLM model for relapses showed a decreased relapse probability of 78% for the EIT versus ESC cohort [IRR = 0.22, 95% CI (0.16-0.30), p < 0.001]. Analyzing the time to the first relapse by Cox regression, a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.17 [95% CI (0.13-0.22), p < 0.001] revealed a decreased risk of 83% for the EIT group. Regarding sustained Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression for 12 weeks, a HR of 0.55 [95% CI (0.40-0.76), p < 0.001] showed a decreased probability of 45% for the EIT cohort.
CONCLUSIONS
ESC treatment after DMF and TERI revealed a higher relapse and EDSS progression probability compared to EIT in Austrian RRMS patients. Therefore, an early intensive treatment should be started in patients with an active or highly active disease course.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; Male; Austria; Female; Adult; Immunosuppressive Agents; Registries; Cohort Studies; Middle Aged; Immunologic Factors; Dimethyl Fumarate; Toluidines
PubMed: 38430270
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12256-w -
Journal of Clinical Immunology May 2024Alemtuzumab is used with reduced-toxicity conditioning (RTC) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), demonstrating efficacy and feasibility for patients...
Alemtuzumab is used with reduced-toxicity conditioning (RTC) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), demonstrating efficacy and feasibility for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) in Western countries; however, the clinical experience in Asian patients with IEI is limited. We retrospectively analyzed patients with IEI who underwent the first allogeneic HCT with alemtuzumab combined with RTC regimens in Japan. A total of 19 patients were included and followed up for a median of 18 months. The donors were haploidentical parents (n = 10), matched siblings (n = 2), and unrelated bone marrow donors (n = 7). Most patients received RTC regimens containing fludarabine and busulfan and were treated with 0.8 mg/kg alemtuzumab with intermediate timing. Eighteen patients survived and achieved stable engraftment, and no grade 3-4 acute graft-versus-host disease was observed. Viral infections were observed in 11 patients (58%) and 6 of them presented symptomatic. The median CD4 T cell count was low at 6 months (241/µL) but improved at 1 year (577/µL) after HCT. Whole blood cells continued to exhibit > 80% donor type in most cases; however, 3/10 patients exhibited poor donor chimerism only among T cells and also showed undetectable levels of T-cell receptor recombination excision circles (TRECs) at 1 year post-HCT. This study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab; however, patients frequently developed viral infections and slow reconstitution or low donor chimerism in T cells, emphasizing the importance of monitoring viral status and T-cell-specific chimerism. (238 < 250 words).
Topics: Humans; Alemtuzumab; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Male; Female; Transplantation Conditioning; Transplantation, Homologous; Child, Preschool; Child; Infant; Graft vs Host Disease; Retrospective Studies; Asian People; Treatment Outcome; Adolescent
PubMed: 38773000
DOI: 10.1007/s10875-024-01734-5 -
Neurologia Feb 2024
PubMed: 38387779
DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.02.006 -
The Lancet. Child & Adolescent Health May 2024High-efficacy disease-modifying therapies have been proven to slow disability accrual in adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, their impact on...
BACKGROUND
High-efficacy disease-modifying therapies have been proven to slow disability accrual in adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, their impact on disability worsening in paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis, particularly during the early phases, is not well understood. We evaluated how high-efficacy therapies influence transitions across five disability states, ranging from minimal disability to gait impairment and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, in people with paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.
METHODS
Longitudinal data were obtained from the international MSBase registry, containing data from people with multiple sclerosis from 151 centres across 41 countries, and the Italian Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Register, containing data from people with multiple sclerosis from 178 Italian multiple sclerosis centres. People younger than 18 years at the onset of multiple sclerosis symptoms were included, provided they had a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and at least four Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores recorded within 12-month intervals. The primary outcome was the time to change in disability state: minimal disability (EDSS scores 0, 1·0, and 1·5), mild disability (EDSS scores 2·0 and 2·5), moderate disability (EDSS scores 3·0 and 3·5), gait impairment (EDSS scores ≥4·0), and clinician diagnosed secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. A multi-state model was constructed to simulate the natural course of multiple sclerosis, modelling the probabilities of both disability worsening and improvement simultaneously. The impact of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (alemtuzumab, cladribine, daclizumab, fingolimod, mitoxantrone, natalizumab, ocrelizumab, rituximab, or autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation) and low-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate, interferon beta, or teriflunomide), compared with no treatment, on the course of disability was assessed. Apart from recruitment, individuals with lived experience of multiple sclerosis were not involved in the design and conduct of this study.
FINDINGS
A total of 5224 people (3686 [70·6%] female and 1538 [29·4%] male) with mean age at onset of multiple sclerosis 15·24 years (SD 2·52) were included. High-efficacy therapies reduced the hazard of disability worsening across the disability states. The largest reduction (hazard ratio 0·41 [95% CI 0·31-0·53]) was observed in participants who were treated with high-efficacy therapies while in the minimal disability state, compared with those remained untreated. The benefit of high-efficacy therapies declined with increasing disability. Young people with minimal disability who received low-efficacy therapy also experienced a reduced hazard (hazard ratio 0·65 [95% CI 0·54-0·77]) of transitioning to mild disability, in contrast to those who remained untreated.
INTERPRETATION
Treatment of paediatric-onset relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with high-efficacy therapy substantially reduces the risk of reaching key disability milestones. This reduction in risk is most pronounced among young people with minimal or mild disability when treatment began. Children with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis should be treated early with high-efficacy therapy, before developing significant neurological impairments, to better preserve their neurological capacity.
FUNDING
National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia; MSBase Foundation Fellowship; MS Australia Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Topics: Adult; Child; Male; Humans; Female; Adolescent; Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive; Fingolimod Hydrochloride; Registries
PubMed: 38547883
DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(24)00047-6