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Induction of disease remission with one cycle of alemtuzumab in relapsing–remitting MS

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate a single-course treatment with alemtuzumab in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with RRMS who were treated with alemtuzumab at our MS center and who had at least 12 month follow-up since the first dose. Data on radiological and clinical relapse were collected for the 2 years prior to patients’ first dose of alemtuzumab and were tracked until the time of analysis.

Results

In the 2 years prior to first dose of alemtuzumab, 82.8% of the 29 patients had a new lesion on MRI and/or a clinical relapse, with an ARR of 0.67. In the mean 24.7 month follow-up after the first dose of alemtuzumab, 17.2% of patients displayed new disease activity and the ARR was 0.08. 4 out of 5 patients who relapsed did so within 12 month post-first infusion and received a second dose. Of the 24 patients who did not relapse, 8 received a second dose at 1 year and 16 did not. 5 out of all 29 patients developed thyroid disorder.

Conclusions

Given that 96% of patients who did not relapse in the first 12 months following the initial dose of alemtuzumab remained relapse-free regardless of receiving a second course of drug, our data suggests that induction of disease remission for some patients might occur following just one dose of alemtuzumab. With further study, these data could support modification of the current therapy regimen.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurology, New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Avenue, Suite Y-217, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Alexandra S. Kocsik, Maryana Liedke, Ulrike W. Kaunzner, Nancy M. Nealon, Susan A. Gauthier, Timothy Vartanian & Jai S. Perumal

  2. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, 60 Prospect Avenue, Middletown, NY, 10940, USA

    David E. Klein

Authors
  1. Alexandra S. Kocsik
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  2. David E. Klein
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  3. Maryana Liedke
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  4. Ulrike W. Kaunzner
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  5. Nancy M. Nealon
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  6. Susan A. Gauthier
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  7. Timothy Vartanian
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  8. Jai S. Perumal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jai S. Perumal.

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Ethical standards

This study has been approved by the local institutional review board and has, therefore, been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.

Conflicts of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Kocsik, A.S., Klein, D.E., Liedke, M. et al. Induction of disease remission with one cycle of alemtuzumab in relapsing–remitting MS. J Neurol 265, 1226–1229 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8845-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8845-4

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