A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in 2 patients with multiple sclerosis treated with alemtuzumab
Authors: Mika Saarela, Keerthi Senthil, Joanne Jones, Pentti J. Tienari, Merja Soilu-Hänninen, Laura Airas, Alasdair Coles, Jukka T. Saarinen
Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
Publication year: 2018
Journal: Neurology
Journal name in source: NEUROLOGY
Journal acronym: NEUROLOGY
Volume: 90
Issue: 18
First page : 849
Last page: 851
Number of pages: 3
ISSN: 0028-3878
eISSN: 1526-632X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000005420
Abstract
Alemtuzumab is a highly effective treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with a complex safety profile, including secondary autoimmunity in 40% of patients.(1) We report 2 cases of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in patients after alemtuzumab treatment of RRMS. This hyperinflammatory syndrome consists of fever, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia, liver abnormalities, hyperferritinemia, raised soluble interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, and hemophagocytosis; it may be secondary to malignancies, autoimmune diseases, or infections.(2) The table summarizes the diagnostic criteria for secondary HLH.
Alemtuzumab is a highly effective treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with a complex safety profile, including secondary autoimmunity in 40% of patients.(1) We report 2 cases of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in patients after alemtuzumab treatment of RRMS. This hyperinflammatory syndrome consists of fever, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia, liver abnormalities, hyperferritinemia, raised soluble interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, and hemophagocytosis; it may be secondary to malignancies, autoimmune diseases, or infections.(2) The table summarizes the diagnostic criteria for secondary HLH.
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