Alemtuzumab autoimmune problems, this time it is a brain problem


As I said we will be back with more news of of alemtuzumab.

This time the person recieving alemtuzumab, developed a brain disease.  They have not found the causative antibody but the person responded to plasma exchange and was the third autoimmunity that the person had:-( 

Highlights

  • This case describes the first reported case of autoimmune encephalitis as a secondary autoimmune complication of Alemtuzumab therapy.
  • Despite the absence of an identifiable antibody the patient responded well to immunotherapy including plasma exchange.

Abstract

Secondary autoimmune disorders are a recognised complication of alemtuzumab treatment for multiple sclerosis. We report a case of autoimmune encephalitis manifesting as a polymorphic epilepsia partialis continua / status epilepticus seven months after the second course of alemtuzumab in a patient with previous autoimmune hypothyroidism and immune thrombocytopenic purpura. An MRI revealed multifocal cortical abnormalities and neuronal loss was evident on biopsy. Although testing for anti-neuronal antibodies was negative, the patient responded well to immunotherapy including plasma exchange. This is the first reported presentation of an autoimmune encephalopathy secondary to alemtuzumab therapy.

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