Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy and Rituximab: Time to Better Stratify the Risk?
Immovilli Paolo, Rota Eugenia, Morelli Nicola, De Mitri Paola, Terlizzi Emilio, Magnifico Fabiola, Cavanna Luigi, Parmeggiani Maria, Guidetti Donata
Abstract
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease emerging as a complication of some novel monoclonal antibody therapies. Disease risk and severity show a wide variability, with fatality ranging from 30% to 90%, probably depending on many risk determinants as demonstrated for natalizumab-associated PML. Rituximab therapy is used to treat hematological malignancies and autoimmune disease, but little is known about PML risk stratification and management. We describe a clinical case with very early diagnosis, extensive treatment, but a fatal outcome, highlighting the need for future studies aimed to better understand PML risk.
J Neurol Res. 2014;4(1):34-36
doi: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.14740/jnr235w
Keywords
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; Rituximab; Risk stratification; Treatment; Diagnosis
Full Text:
HTML
PDF