Estudio del efecto del tratamiento con inmunoglobulinas por vía intravenosa en la neuromielitis óptica / The effect of intravenous immunoglobulin on neuromyelitis optica

Objetivo: Evaluar la seguridad y tolerancia de las inmunoglobulinas por vía intravenosa (IgIV) para el tratamiento de la neuromielitis óptica (NMO). Métodos: Ocho pacientes que cumplían los criterios diagnósticos revisados de Wingerchuk fueron tratados con IgIV cada 2 meses (0,7 g por kg de peso y día durante 3 días). Las medidas deresultado principales fueron los eventos adversos graves, definidos de acuerdo con las directrices NIH para los ensayos clínicos. Las medidas de resultado secundarias fueron los cambios en la tasa anualizada de brotes y la discapacidad neurológica medida con la Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Resultados: Ocho pacientes fueron tratados: 5 con episodios recidivantes de neuritis óptica y/o mielitis y 3 pacientes con mielitis transversa longitudinal extensa recurrente. La edad media de inicio fue de 20,5 a˜nos (rango 7-31), el 87,5% mujeres. El tiempo medio de duración de la enfermedad al inicio del tratamiento fue de 9,0 a˜nos (rango 3-17). Tras 83 infusiones (rango 4-21) y na media de seguimiento de 19,3 meses (rango 6-39), hubo eventos adversos menores dolor de cabeza en 3 pacientes y erupción cutánea leve en un paciente). La tasa de recaídas se redujo de 1,8 en el a˜no anterior a 0,006 en el seguimiento (z = —2,5, p = 0,01). La EDSS se redujo de 3,3±1,3 a 2,6±1,5 (z = —2,0, p = 0,04). Conclusiones: El tratamiento con IgIV es seguro y bien tolerado y podría ser una alternativa de tratamiento para los trastornos del espectro de la NMO (AU)

Objective: Evaluate safety and tolerance levels for intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) as treatment for neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Methods: Eight patients meeting Wingerchuk’s revised diagnostic criteria were treated withIVIG every 2 months (0.7 g per kg body weight per day for 3 days). The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of serious adverse effects, defined according to NIH guidelines for clinical trials. Secondary outcome measures were changes in the yearly rate of attacks and in the degree of neurological disability measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results: All 8 patients were treated; 5 had relapsing optic neuritis with or without myelitis and 3 had recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. The mean age of onset was 20.5 years (range, 7-31 years) and 87,5% were female. The mean duration of the disease before beginning treatment was 9.0 years (range, 3-17 years). Following 83 infusions (range, 4-21 per patient) and a mean follow-up time of 19.3 months ( ange, 6-39 months), minor adverse events had occurred (headache in 3 patients and a mild cutaneous eruption in a single patient). The relapse rate decreased from 1.8 in the previous year to 0.006 during follow-up (z= 2,5, P=.01). The EDSS score fell from 3.3 ± 1.3 to 2.6 ± 1.5 (z = −2.0, P=.04). Conclusions: Treatment with IVIG is safe and well-tolerated, and it may be used as a treatment alternative for NMO spectrum disorders (AU)

The effect of intravenous immunoglobulin on neuromyelitis optica.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate safety and tolerance levels for intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) as treatment for neuromyelitis optica (NMO). METHODS: Eight patients meeting Wingerchuk's revised diagnostic criteria were treated with IVIG every 2 months (0.7 g per kg body weight per day for 3 days). The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of serious adverse effects, defined according to NIH guidelines for clinical trials. Secondary outcome measures were changes in the yearly rate of attacks and in the degree of neurological disability measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). RESULTS: All 8 patients were treated; 5 had relapsing optic neuritis with or without myelitis and 3 had recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. The mean age of onset was 20.5 years (range, 7-31 years) and 87,5% were female. The mean duration of the disease before beginning treatment was 9.0 years (range, 3-17 years). Following 83 infusions (range, 4-21 per patient) and a mean follow-up time of 19.3 months (range, 6-39 months), minor adverse events had occurred (headache in 3 patients and a mild cutaneous eruption in a single patient). The relapse rate decreased from 1.8 in the previous year to 0.006 during follow-up (z=2,5, P=.01). The EDSS score fell from 3.3±1.3 to 2.6±1.5 (z=-2.0, P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with IVIG is safe and well-tolerated, and it may be used as a treatment alternative for NMO spectrum disorders.

The relationship between inflammatory activity and brain atrophy in natalizumab treated patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the evolution of brain atrophy and its relationship with inflammatory activity in RRMS patients treated with natalizumab. METHODS: Eighteen RRMS patients were prospectively followed up for 18 months after starting natalizumab therapy. Patients were monitored monthly and assessed for signs of relapses, adverse events or disability increase. MRI scans were performed before starting natalizumab and every six months. Cross-sectional T2 lesion volume (T2LV) and the normalized brain volume (NBV) at baseline and 18 months MRI scans were calculated using the Steronauta® and SIENAx softwares, respectively. Longitudinal Percentage of Brain Volume Change (PBVC) was estimated with SIENA. Linkage between inflammatory activity and brain atrophy was studied. RESULTS: Natalizumab reduced ARR by 67% and cumulative CEL by 87.5%. T2 lesion volume decreased from 1000 mm3, to 960 mm3 (p=0.006) and NBV decreased from 1.55×10(5) mm3 to 1.42×10(5) mm3 (p=0.025). Global PBVC from baseline to 18 months was -2.5%, predominantly during the first six months (0-6 months PBVC -1.7%; 6-12 months PBVC -0.74%; 12-18 months PBVC -0.50%). The number of relapses before treatment was correlated to the PBVC during the first semester (Pearson's coefficient -0.520, p=0.003), while the number of basal CEL or baseline T2LV did not correlate with brain atrophy rate. During follow-up, nine patients had clinical or radiological inflammatory activity. Their PBVC was significantly higher in the first semester (-2.3% to -1.1%, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Natalizumab reduced relapse rate and CEL in MRI. Brain atrophy predominated in the first semester and was related to previous inflammatory activity.

HLA-DRB1 en pacientes caucásicos con neuromielitis óptica / HLA-DRB1 typing in Caucasians patients with neuromyelitis optica

Introducción. Los anticuerpos contra la aquaporina-4 (Ac-AQP-4) permitieron identificar como enfermedades diferentes a la neuromielitis óptica (NMO) y la esclerosis múltiple (EM). Estudios recientes sugieren que los alelos HLA-DRB1 contribuyen de forma diferente en la NMO y la EM en poblaciones no caucásicas. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la distribución HLA-DRB1 en pacientes con NMO de origen caucásico. Sujetos y métodos. Se incluyó una cohorte de 22 pacientes con NMO (el 73% con Ac-AQP-4), 228 con EM y 225 controles sanos de origen español, y se genotipificó el locus HLA-DRB1. Posteriormente, los resultados se combinaron con los descritos en una población caucásica francesa: 45 pacientes con NMO (el 53% con Ac-AQP-4), 156 con EM y 310 controles sanos. Resultados. En la cohorte española, la NMO, en comparación con la EM, se asociaba a una mayor frecuencia del alelo DRB1*10 (odds ratio, OR = 15,1; intervalo de confianza del 95%, IC 95% = 3,26-69,84; p = 0,012). En el análisis combinado, y comparado con controles sanos, la NMO se asociaba a una mayor frecuencia del alelo DRB1*03 (OR = 2,27; IC 95% = 1,44-3,58; p < 0,0008), y esto se relacionaba con tener Ac-AQP-4 (OR = 2,74; IC 95% = 1,58-4,77; p < 0,0008). Por el contrario, la EM se asociaba a una mayor frecuencia del alelo DRB1*15 (OR = 2,09; IC 95% = 1,62-2,68; p < 0,0008) y a una menor frecuencia del alelo DRB1*07 (OR = 0,58; IC 95% = 0,44-0,78; p < 0,0008). Conclusiones. Los pacientes caucásicos con NMO y EM presentan una distribución alélica HLA-DRB1 diferente. El alelo DRB1*03 parece contribuir a ser IgG-NMO seropositivo. Son necesarios estudios multicéntricos colaborativos para conocer mejor la contribución genética en la susceptibilidad a padecer NMO (AU)

Introduction. The existence of antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP-4-ab) has identified neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) as different diseases. Although HLA-DRB1 alleles contribute to MS risk, recent studies suggest that HLA background differs between patients with NMO or MS in non-Caucasians populations. Our study was aimed to analyze HLA-DRB1 distribution in Caucasians NMO patients. Subjects and methods. We recruited a cohort of 22 NMO patients (73% were AQP-4-ab positive), 228 MS patients and 225 healthy controls from Spain and we genotyped the HLA-DRB1 locus. Then, we performed a pool analysis using reported data from 45 NMO patients (53% were AQP-4-ab positive), 156 MS patients and 310 healthy controls from Caucasian French population. Results. In the Spanish cohort, NMO was associated with increased frequency of DRB1*10 allele compared with MS (odds ratio, OR = 15.1; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 3.26-69.84; p = 0.012). In the pooled analysis, by comparison with healthy controls, NMO was associated with increased frequency of DRB1*03 allele (OR = 2.27; 95% CI = 1.44-3.58; p < 0.0008) which was related to AQP-4-ab seropositivity (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.58-4.77; p < 0.0008). By contrast, MS as associated with increased frequency of DRB1*15 allele (OR = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.62-2.68; p < 0.0008) and decreased frequency of DRB1*07 allele (OR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.44-0.78; p < 0.0008). Conclusions. Caucasian patients with NMO and MS have a different HLA-DRB1 allelic distribution. DRB1*03 allele seems to contribute to NMO seropositivity. Multicenter collaborative efforts are needed to adequately address the genetic contribution to NMO susceptibility (AU)

[HLA-DRB1 typing in Caucasians patients with neuromyelitis optica]. / HLA-DRB1 en pacientes caucasicos con neuromielitis optica.

INTRODUCTION: The existence of antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP-4-ab) has identified neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) as different diseases. Although HLA-DRB1 alleles contribute to MS risk, recent studies suggest that HLA back-ground differs between patients with NMO or MS in non-Caucasians populations. Our study was aimed to analyze HLA-DRB1 distribution in Caucasians NMO patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We recruited a cohort of 22 NMO patients (73% were AQP-4-ab positive), 228 MS patients and 225 healthy controls from Spain and we genotyped the HLA-DRB1 locus. Then, we performed a pool analysis using reported data from 45 NMO patients (53% were AQP-4-ab positive), 156 MS patients and 310 healthy controls from Caucasian French population. RESULTS: In the Spanish cohort, NMO was associated with increased frequency of DRB1*10 allele compared with MS (odds ratio, OR = 15.1; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 3.26-69.84; p = 0.012). In the pooled analysis, by comparison with healthy controls, NMO was associated with increased frequency of DRB1*03 allele (OR = 2.27; 95% CI = 1.44-3.58; p < 0.0008) which was related to AQP-4-ab seropositivity (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.58-4.77; p < 0.0008). By contrast, MS was associated with increased frequency of DRB1*15 allele (OR = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.62-2.68; p < 0.0008) and decreased frequency of DRB1*07 allele (OR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.44-0.78; p < 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: Caucasian patients with NMO and MS have a different HLA-DRB1 allelic distribution. DRB1*03 allele seems to contribute to NMO seropositivity. Multicenter collaborative efforts are needed to adequately address the genetic contribution to NMO susceptibility.

Assessment of the effectiveness and safety of natalizumab for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Assessing the effectiveness and safety of natalizumab for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in a tertiary hospital. METHOD: Observational, prospective study of adult patients treated with natalizumab from May 2007 until February 2009. TREATMENT: 300 mg natalizumab every four weeks. Response criteria: assessment of disease progression, appearance of flare-ups and assessment of magnetic resonance images. Adverse reactions during treatment with natalizumab were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty patients (73% female); average age 34 ± 8.4 years; mean baseline EDSS 3.4 ± 1.3; number of flare-ups in the past year 2.1 ± 1.2. TREATMENT was discontinued in five patients, due to refusal in one case, ineffectiveness in two cases and anaphylaxis in the other two cases. Fourteen patients completed one year of treatment with satisfactory results. A lower EDSS score by 36%, 47%, 31%, 54% and 28% was obtained at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months of treatment respectively. The prevalence of relapse-free patients was 94%, 76% and 54% at 3, 6 and 12 months. MRI imaging studies in 11 patients one year after they began treatment showed no new lesions. Two patients suffered severe anaphylactic shock and another one had an outbreak of urticaria. The presence of neutralising antibodies was the reason for suspending treatment in 6.6% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment's effectiveness and safety in our patient group suggest that natalizumab is a treatment for refractory patients or those with aggressive types of multiple sclerosis, although we do not yet know about its long-term effects and the evolution of the appearance of neutralising antibodies.

Early diffuse demyelinating lesion in the cervical spinal cord predicts a worse prognosis in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the long-term outcome and persistence of two patterns of cervical spinal cord abnormality in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS: RRMS patients with a spinal cord MRI performed during the first 3 years of the disease, a control MRI 5 years later and who have been followed up at least 10 years were included. Patients were grouped according the T2 spinal cord MRI into: (A) nodular pattern, if one or more focal lesions were present; and (B) diffuse pattern, defined as a poorly demarcated high signal area. The end point was defined as the time to reach an Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) of 4.0. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included; 12 in group A and 13 in group B. Three patients in group A and 9 in group B reached EDSS 4, in a mean time of 11 years in group A and 7 years in group B (log rank 10.3, p = 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis assessing the risk of EDSS 4.0 including sex, age, number of relapses in the first 2 years, number of T2 brain lesions and spinal cord pattern showed higher risk for the diffuse pattern (hazard ratio 7.2, 95% confidence interval 1.4-36.4). Control MRI showed the persistence of the diffuse pattern in all patients, and the development of diffuse pattern in two patients with basal nodular lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The diffuse abnormality in cervical spinal cord at the beginning of the disease is persistent and predicts a worse prognosis in RRMS patients.

The risk of relapse after a clinically isolated syndrome is related to the pattern of oligoclonal bands.

We prospectively assessed the risk of second relapse in 192 patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) divided into three groups: patients lacking oligoclonal IgG bands (OC-IgG, 25.7%), those showing OC-IgG (52.4%), and those with both OC-IgG and lipid-specific IgM bands (LS-OC-IgM, 22%). OC-IgG increased 9.3-fold the risk compared to lacking OC-IgG; OC-IgG+LS-OC-IgM increased the risk 39.6-fold compared to not having OC-IgG and 4.4-fold compared to having only OC-IgG. Median time to second relapse was 0.7 years for patients with OC-IgG+LS-OC-IgM and 3.3 years for those with only OC-IgG. Therefore, CSF analysis identifies CIS patients at risk of second relapse.

Response to interferon in multiple sclerosis is related to lipid-specific oligoclonal IgM bands.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of lipid-specific oligoclonal IgM bands (LS-OCMB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) influences the response to treatment with beta-interferon in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. We performed a collaborative prospective study including RRMS patients with brain MRI and LS-OCMB studies performed before starting interferon treatment. The primary endpoint was the risk of having a relapse after treatment initiation. Secondary endpoints included relapse rate, relapse-rate reduction, proportion of relapse-free patients and proportion of patients with sustained disability increase during follow-up. One-hundred and two patients were included. After a mean follow-up of 37.4 months, the risk of suffering a relapse was two-fold higher in patients with LS-OCMB (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.1-3.8). LS-OCMB+ patients showed lower reduction in relapse rate (51.8% versus 80.8%; p < 0.0001), higher relapse rate in the first year (0.8 versus 0.2; p = 0.001), lower proportion of relapse-free patients (25% versus 61.3%; p = 0.003), and higher proportion of patients with sustained 1.0 increase in the Expanded Disability Status Score (45% versus 12.9%; p = 0.0003). In conclusion, LS-OCMB can have an influence on the response to interferon treatment in RRMS patients. They could be used as a biological marker to predict high inflammatory activity after treatment.

Effect of relapses over early progression of disability in multiple sclerosis patients treated with beta-interferon.

Observational study designed to explore the effect of demographical variables and number of relapses over the disability progression in the two first years of beta-interferon treatment for multiple sclerosis. One hundred and sixty two patients treated with beta-interferon for at least two years were included, 70.9% females, mean age 33.4 years, mean disease duration 75.1 months, mean EDSS 2.4, previous year relapse rate 1.3. Main end-point was defined as a sustained EDSS increase (1.5 if previous EDSS 0-2.0; 1.0 if previous EDSS 2.5-4.0; 0.5 if previous EDSS 4.5 or higher). 62.3% of patients presented one or more relapses and 32.7% patients reached sustained disability increase. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis only showed statistical significance for the relapses in the two first years after the treatment (HR 1 relapse: 3.4, p = 0.05; HR > or = 2 relapses: 4.3, p < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a higher probability of EDSS progression for patients with one relapse (log rank 10.9, p = 0.02) and with > or = 2 relapses (log rank 17.7, p < 0.001), with no differences between them (p = 0.38). In conclusion, patients with one or more relapses in the first two years of interferon treatment developed an earlier sustained progression of the disability.