M Kakoulidou1, S Bjelak, R Pirskanen, A K Lefvert. 1. Immunological Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To measure clinical and immunological parameters in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) treated with antibodies against tumour necrosis factor-alpha (infliximab, Remicade). PATIENT AND METHODS: A patient with severe MG received repeated injections of infliximab. His muscle function score was monitored and the immunological parameters were followed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry and radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The patient improved in muscle fatigability tests and the levels of antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor decreased during treatment. The activation marker human leucocyte antigen-DR on CD4(+) T cells also decreased. CONCLUSION: Treatment with infliximab might be beneficial for patients with severe MG but demands careful monitoring of possible serious side-effects.
OBJECTIVES: To measure clinical and immunological parameters in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) treated with antibodies against tumour necrosis factor-alpha (infliximab, Remicade). PATIENT AND METHODS: A patient with severe MG received repeated injections of infliximab. His muscle function score was monitored and the immunological parameters were followed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry and radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The patient improved in muscle fatigability tests and the levels of antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor decreased during treatment. The activation marker human leucocyte antigen-DR on CD4(+) T cells also decreased. CONCLUSION: Treatment with infliximab might be beneficial for patients with severe MG but demands careful monitoring of possible serious side-effects.