Contributions
Abstract: EP1668
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - disease modifying - 26 Immunomodulation/Immunosuppression
Objective: To communicate our experience with the use of tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), in a neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patient.
Material and methods: We present a 53-year-old patient diagnosed with seronegative neuromyelitis optica after an optic neuritis, a medulla oblongata lesion relapse and a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis over 8 vertebral segments. The patient was initially treated with azathioprine but it had to be withdrawn due to severe pancytopenia. He was then treated with rituximab but developed a probable serum sickness reaction, so no consecutive dosing was administered. The patient had a medulla oblongata lesion relapse, requiring high dose methylprednisolone and plasma exchange for recovery. Treatment with tocilizumab was initiated as compassionate use at a dose of 8mg/Kg/month.
Results: The patient showed a good clinical response after 3 infusions. There were no new relapses or Magnetic Resonance Imaging inflammatory activity. He didn't develop cytopenia or any other associated complications.
Conclusions: Treatment with anti-IL-6 might be a safe and effective treatment option in NMO patients who don't respond or don't tolerate other traditionally used therapies.
Disclosure: Virginia Meca-Lallana has received consulting or speaking fees from Almirall, Biogen, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche, Terumo, Sanofi and Teva.
Virginia Meca-Lallana disclose neither conflict of interest in the elaboration of this abstract
Abstract: EP1668
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - disease modifying - 26 Immunomodulation/Immunosuppression
Objective: To communicate our experience with the use of tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), in a neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patient.
Material and methods: We present a 53-year-old patient diagnosed with seronegative neuromyelitis optica after an optic neuritis, a medulla oblongata lesion relapse and a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis over 8 vertebral segments. The patient was initially treated with azathioprine but it had to be withdrawn due to severe pancytopenia. He was then treated with rituximab but developed a probable serum sickness reaction, so no consecutive dosing was administered. The patient had a medulla oblongata lesion relapse, requiring high dose methylprednisolone and plasma exchange for recovery. Treatment with tocilizumab was initiated as compassionate use at a dose of 8mg/Kg/month.
Results: The patient showed a good clinical response after 3 infusions. There were no new relapses or Magnetic Resonance Imaging inflammatory activity. He didn't develop cytopenia or any other associated complications.
Conclusions: Treatment with anti-IL-6 might be a safe and effective treatment option in NMO patients who don't respond or don't tolerate other traditionally used therapies.
Disclosure: Virginia Meca-Lallana has received consulting or speaking fees from Almirall, Biogen, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche, Terumo, Sanofi and Teva.
Virginia Meca-Lallana disclose neither conflict of interest in the elaboration of this abstract