Efficacy of Tocilizumab in Limbic Encephalitis with Anti-CASPR2 Antibodies

Abstract

We report the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with subacute memory, balance impairment, behavioral and mood changes, and epileptic seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral hippocampal abnormalities. Brain [18F]-FDG fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) revealed hypometabolism in both the temporal lobe as well as in the left insular and parietal regions. The clinical and neuroradiological picture and the detection of anti-CASPR2 antibodies in serum oriented the diagnosis towards autoimmune limbic encephalitis. Intravenous high-dose steroid and immunoglobulin treatments were ineffective. We did not use rituximab for the presence of antibodies to HbcAg positivity. Tocilizumab given intravenously 8 mg/kg once a month for six months and then subcutaneously 162 mg every week for six months resulted in clinical and neuroradiological improvement. These data support the efficacy of tocilizumab in autoimmune limbic encephalitis associated with anti-CASPR2 antibodies, which has been sporadically reported in the literature.