JC Polyomavirus Infection Potentiated by Biologics

Abstract

The risk of JC polyomavirus encephalopathy varies among biologic classes and among agents within the same class. Of currently used biologics, the highest risk is seen with natalizumab followed by rituximab. Multiple other agents have also been implicated. Drug-specific causality is difficult to establish because many patients receive multiple immunomodulatory medications concomitantly or sequentially, and have other immunocompromising factors related to their underlying disease. As use of biologic therapies continues to expand, further research is needed into pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of JC polyomavirus encephalopathy such that risk for its development is better understood and mitigated, if not eliminated altogether.

Keywords: Biologic agents; JC virus; John Cunningham virus; Natalizumab; PML; Polyomavirus; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; Rituximab.