Sarcoidosis following alemtuzumab treatment for multiple sclerosis

Mult Scler. 2018 Nov;24(13):1779-1782. doi: 10.1177/1352458518790391. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Abstract

Despite proven efficacy of alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis (MS), approximately 50% of individuals will develop a new autoimmune disease following treatment. To date, these have largely been antibody mediated and organ specific (primarily affecting the thyroid gland). In a retrospective case series of 187 patients from two UK specialist centres (Cardiff and Cambridge) followed up for a median of 10 years, we report three (1.6%) cases of sarcoidosis following alemtuzumab treatment of MS. This report increases the spectrum of auto-inflammatory disease following alemtuzumab and should be considered by clinicians when using this therapeutic agent for MS.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; alemtuzumab.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alemtuzumab / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sarcoidosis / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Alemtuzumab