IgG4-related autoimmune manifestations in Alemtuzumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients

J Neuroimmunol. 2021 Dec 15:361:577759. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577759. Epub 2021 Oct 29.

Abstract

We aimed to determine whether Alemtuzumab-induced immune reconstitution affects immunoglobulin and complement levels in the serum of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients. IgG4-levels were increased 24-months after treatment initiation compared to baseline levels in twenty-nine patients. Alemtuzumab-treated patients with the highest IgG4-levels were more prone to thyroid-related autoimmune manifestations and specific autoimmune adverse events such as Crohn's disease, Graves' disease, and hemolytic anemia. Compared to baseline, total IgG-levels showed a trend towards reduced levels following two-courses of Alemtuzumab, but no significant change of C3 and/or C4-levels was observed. In conclusion, monitoring of IgG4-levels can serve as a marker for secondary autoimmunity risk in multiple sclerosis patients treated with Alemtuzumab.

Keywords: Alemtuzumab; Autoimmunity; Crohn's disease; Graves' disease; IgG; IgG4; Multiple sclerosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alemtuzumab / adverse effects
  • Alemtuzumab / therapeutic use*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / blood
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / chemically induced*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / immunology
  • Biomarkers
  • Complement System Proteins / analysis
  • Female
  • Graves Disease / chemically induced
  • Graves Disease / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Reconstitution*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Infections / etiology
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Complement System Proteins