Z L E van Kempen1, C E Leurs1, A de Vries2, A Vennegoor1, T Rispens3, M P Wattjes4, J Killestein1. 1. Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VUmc MS Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Biologicals Lab, Sanquin Diagnostic Services, Sanquin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Immunology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, VUmc MS Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Infection with the John Cunningham virus (JCV) is required for the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, the feared complication of natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis patients. The JCV seroconversion rate seems higher in natalizumab treated patients than in the normal population, with an unknown cause. METHODS: Natalizumab concentration was correlated to JCV antibody status and seroconversion in a large cohort of multiple sclerosis patients. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five patients were included. No correlation was found between natalizumab concentration and JCV status, JCV seroconversion or JCV index. CONCLUSIONS: Higher natalizumab concentrations do not explain the increased JCV seroconversion rate in natalizumab treated patients.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Infection with the John Cunningham virus (JCV) is required for the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, the feared complication of natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosispatients. The JCV seroconversion rate seems higher in natalizumab treated patients than in the normal population, with an unknown cause. METHODS:Natalizumab concentration was correlated to JCV antibody status and seroconversion in a large cohort of multiple sclerosispatients. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five patients were included. No correlation was found between natalizumab concentration and JCV status, JCV seroconversion or JCV index. CONCLUSIONS: Higher natalizumab concentrations do not explain the increased JCV seroconversion rate in natalizumab treated patients.
Authors: Christopher M Dwyer; Vilija G Jokubaitis; Jim Stankovich; Josephine Baker; Jodi Haartsen; Helmut Butzkueven; Adriana Cartwright; Neil Shuey; Yara Dadalti Fragoso; Louise Rath; Olga Skibina; Kylie Fryer; Ernest Butler; Jennifer Coleman; Jennifer MacIntrye; Richard Macdonell; Anneke van der Walt Journal: Ther Adv Neurol Disord Date: 2021-04-16 Impact factor: 6.570