Frontiers in Immunology (Jul 2024)

Case report: tumefactive demyelinating lesions after the second cycle of alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis; immune cell profile and biomarkers

  • Neus Rabaneda-Lombarte,
  • Aina Teniente-Serra,
  • Aina Teniente-Serra,
  • Anna Massuet-Vilamajó,
  • Cristina Ramo-Tello,
  • Silvia Presas-Rodríguez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1395749
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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ObjectiveWe present a case of multiple tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs) emerging 24 months after the second cycle of alemtuzumab treatment.MethodsA woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) discontinued fingolimod treatment due to gestational desire, which resulted in a severe disease exacerbation. Alemtuzumab was initiated, accompanied by regular clinical, radiological, and immunological monitoring.ResultsShe relapsed prior to the second cycle, exhibiting 12 T1Gd+ lesions, and peripheral blood showed an increase in B-cells and a decrease in T-cells. At 24 months following the second cycle, she developed cognitive impairment and multiple T1Gd+ lesions, including TDLs, were evident on the brain MRI. We found not only an increase in B-cells but also in Th1 central memory cells. Th1/Th17 cells increased 3 months before the detection of TDLs.ConclusionsTDLs can appear 24 months after the second cycle of alemtuzumab treatment in MS. The increase in Th1/Th17 cells could be a candidate biomarker for TDLs in alemtuzumab-treated MS patients.

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