Disappearance of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands after natalizumab treatment of multiple sclerosis patients

Author(s)

von Glehn, Felipe ^[1] ; Farias, Alessandro S. ; Penalva de Oliveira, Augusto C. ^[2] ; Damasceno, Alfredo ^[1] ; Longhini, Ana Leda F. ; Oliveira, Elaine C. ; Damasceno, Benito P. ^[1] ; Santos, Leonilda M. B. ; Brandao, Carlos Otavio ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Dept Neurol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Dept Internal Med, Neuroinfect Dis Unit, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, UNICAMP, Neuroimmunol Unit, Dept Genet Evolut & Bioagents, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; v. 18, n. 7, p. 1038-1041, JUL 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 35

Abstract

Intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis in an oligoclonal pattern is the most common immunologic abnormality detected in MS patients. Various treatments, such as immunomodulators and immunosuppressors, have not been found to modify it. Natalizumab hinders migration of encephalitogenic T-cells into the central nervous system (CNS), reducing inflammatory response. Its impact on CSF oligoclonal bands (OCBs) has not been demonstrated. This report describes its effect in four out of six patients with multiple sclerosis after a mean of 10 infusions: the CSF was negative for OCBs at the second lumbar puncture. In conclusion, natalizumab treatment can reduce CSF OCBs to undetectable levels, although the clinical significance of this observation is not yet known. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/10725-4 - Detection of viral load and analysis of the specific immune response to viral peptides in the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients
• Grantee: Carlos Otávio Brandão
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants