Mark Obermann1, Tobias Ruck2, Steffen Pfeuffer2, Julia Baum3, Heinz Wiendl2, Sven G Meuth2. 1. Center for Neurology, Asklepios Hospitals Schildautal, Seesen, Germany/Departments of Neurology and Haematology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany mark.obermann@uni-due.de. 2. Department of Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany. 3. Departments of Neurology and Haematology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We report two cases of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with early-onset thrombocytopenia and autoimmune thyroid disease after the first treatment course with 60-mg alemtuzumab. METHODS: Case series and review of the literature. RESULTS: Both patients showed severe thrombocytopenia with platelet counts of 2 × 10(9) and 11 × 10(9)/L, respectively, as well as increased thyroid antibodies within only a few months after initiating alemtuzumab treatment (11 and 9 months). Both patients responded considerably well to medical therapy including corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins with slow platelet recovery over several weeks. Interestingly, both patients were previously treated with fingolimod and showed a marked lymphocytopenia that led to discontinuation. CONCLUSION: These cases emphasize the necessity of careful clinical surveillance and proper education of patients treated with alemtuzumab as proposed by the safety-monitoring program. Previous severe lymphocytopenia under therapy with other disease-modifying therapies may be a risk factor for the development of immune thrombocytopenia.
OBJECTIVE: We report two cases of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with early-onset thrombocytopenia and autoimmune thyroid disease after the first treatment course with 60-mg alemtuzumab. METHODS: Case series and review of the literature. RESULTS: Both patients showed severe thrombocytopenia with platelet counts of 2 × 10(9) and 11 × 10(9)/L, respectively, as well as increased thyroid antibodies within only a few months after initiating alemtuzumab treatment (11 and 9 months). Both patients responded considerably well to medical therapy including corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins with slow platelet recovery over several weeks. Interestingly, both patients were previously treated with fingolimod and showed a marked lymphocytopenia that led to discontinuation. CONCLUSION: These cases emphasize the necessity of careful clinical surveillance and proper education of patients treated with alemtuzumab as proposed by the safety-monitoring program. Previous severe lymphocytopenia under therapy with other disease-modifying therapies may be a risk factor for the development of immune thrombocytopenia.