Author Topic: (Abst.) Does risk stratification decrease PML risk? Where is evidence?  (Read 132 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline agate

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 9822
  • MS diagnosed 1980
  • Location: Pacific Northwest
From Multiple Sclerosis Journal, August 26, 2014:

Quote
Does risk stratification decrease the risk of natalizumab-associated PML? Where is the evidence?

Gary R Cutter
Section on Research Methods and Clinical Trials, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA

Olaf Stüve
VA North Texas Health Care System, Medical Service Dallas, VA Medical Center/University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA/Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Germany
Neurology Section, VA North Texas Health Care System, Medical Service, 4500 South Lancaster Rd., Dallas, TX 75216, USA. olaf.stuve@utsouthwestern.edu

The use of natalizumab has likely been limited by its association with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an infection caused by the human polyomavirus John Cunningham (JC). Three factors were recently identified that contribute to the overall risk of natalizumab-associated PML: (1) Positive serostatus for anti-JCV antibodies, (2) prior use of immunosuppressants, and (3) duration of natalizumab therapy.

This risk stratification algorithm has not led to a reduction in the incidence of PML in natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis between April 2010 and February 2014. This observation may appear perplexing, as treatment duration and JCV serostatus are modifiable risk factors. Potential reasons for the lack of success of companion diagnostics that determine the overall risk of natalizumab-associated PML are discussed.
MS Speaks--online for 17 years

SPMS, diagnosed 1980. Avonex 2001-2004. Copaxone 2007-2010. Glatopa (glatiramer acetate 40mg 3 times/week) since 12/16/20.