B cell targeting therapies in MS patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic - when immunosuppression meets infection?
Neurol Neurochir Pol
; 54(6): 490-501, 2020.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-874805
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Research into the mechanisms of autoimmune demyelination have highlighted B cells in this process. Therapies targeting this population were a recent addition to the multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs portfolio. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of severe COVID-19 have challenged the safety of B cell depletion in MS patients. STATE OF THE ART Selective depletion of B cells by monoclonal antibodies as monotherapy in MS has been shown to profoundly suppress disease activity among relapsing-remitting MS patients. Furthermore ocrelizumab, a humanised anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, was the first licensed therapy in primary progressive MS. Based on the concept of the role of B cells in MS, many therapeutic approaches are emerging as novel ways to treat autoimmune demyelination. However, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a conservative approach toward limiting immune suppression in MS patients has been proposed. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Emerging evidence does not support the notion of increased susceptibility among MS patients to the SARS-CoV-2 infection, or any predisposition toward greater severity of COVID-19. This also does not appear to be the case for MS patients undergoing B cell depletion therapies. Thus, any decision to withhold immune suppression in MS patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is probably incorrect. MS therapeutic decision-making should focus on the danger of poorly controlled autoimmune demyelination rather than perceived risks from COVID-19. FUTURE DIRECTIONS The current pandemic highlights the need to develop more selective and safer methods of immunomodulation in MS. B cells represent several functionally different populations. Further research into the different role of these cells during autoimmune demyelination should yield better, safer strategies to control the encephalitogenic process.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Multiple Sclerosis
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Neurol Neurochir Pol
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
PJNNS.a2020.0083
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