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Alemtuzumab-induced remission of multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis

  • Case Report
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to report a case of multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated uveitis refractory to conventional immunosuppressants, with subsequent remission following treatment with alemtuzumab.

Methods

Case report Patient was treated with intravenous alemtuzumab, a lymphocyte depleting anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody that has recently been approved for use in relapsing MS.

Results

A 17-year-old female presented with bilateral optic neuritis and subsequently bilateral intermediate uveitis and secondary macular oedema. She was diagnosed with active relapsing MS for which she received treatment with alemtuzumab. The intraocular inflammation previously refractory to conventional immunosuppressants responded to alemtuzumab, inducing remission.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first such report of alemtuzumab treatment in MS-associated ocular inflammatory disease and may demonstrate a potential utility for this drug in related conditions.

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Acknowledgements

The research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre based at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. The authors do not have any proprietary interest in the materials described in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK

    Mark D. Willis & Neil P. Robertson

  2. Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK

    Mark D. Willis, Trevor P. Pickersgill & Neil P. Robertson

  3. Bristol Eye Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, UK

    Richard W. J. Lee, Andrew D. Dick & Ester Carreño

  4. School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Richard W. J. Lee & Andrew D. Dick

  5. National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK

    Richard W. J. Lee & Andrew D. Dick

Authors
  1. Mark D. Willis
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  2. Trevor P. Pickersgill
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  3. Neil P. Robertson
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  4. Richard W. J. Lee
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  5. Andrew D. Dick
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  6. Ester Carreño
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ester Carreño.

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Willis, M.D., Pickersgill, T.P., Robertson, N.P. et al. Alemtuzumab-induced remission of multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis. Int Ophthalmol 37, 1229–1233 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-016-0370-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-016-0370-9

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