Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Pediatric Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: Challenges in Diagnosis and Therapeutic Strategies

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder seen in both pediatric and adult populations. CIDP typically presents with progressive and persistent weakness over at least 4 weeks in addition to sensory symptoms in the extremities. Although CIDP shares common clinical features between children and adults, it sometimes presents as a distinct clinical entity in children that requires close attention and recognition. A major caveat when diagnosing a child with CIDP is the clinical and diagnostic overlap with inherited neuropathies, most commonly Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Demyelinating CMT (dCMT) and CIDP might share similar clinical presentations, and sometimes it might be difficult to differentiate them on the basis of the electrodiagnostic findings or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albumino-cytological dissociation. This indeed merits early consideration for genetic testing in patients who do not respond to conventional CIDP therapies. Current treatment options for CIDP include intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), corticosteroids (CS), and plasmapheresis (PLEX). The need for novel therapies is essential in instances where patients continue to have symptoms despite the standard therapies or due to adverse effects of long-term use of standard therapies such as CS. This paper reviews the challenges in the diagnosis of CIDP in children and the current as well as novel therapies for CIDP.

Challenges in the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy in Adults: Current Perspectives

Diagnosing Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) poses numerous challenges. The heterogeneous presentations of CIDP variants, its mimics, and the complexity of interpreting electrodiagnostic criteria are just a few of the many reasons for misdiagnoses. Early recognition and treatment are important to reduce the risk of irreversible axonal damage, which may lead to permanent disability. The diagnosis of CIDP is based on a combination of clinical symptoms, nerve conduction study findings that indicate demyelination, and other supportive criteria. In 2021, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) and the Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) published a revision on the most widely adopted guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of CIDP. This updated guideline now includes clinical and electrodiagnostic criteria for CIDP variants (previously termed atypical CIDP), updated supportive criteria, and sensory criteria as an integral part of the electrodiagnostic criteria. Due to its many rules and exceptions, this guideline is complex and misinterpretation of nerve conduction study findings remain common. CIDP is treatable with intravenous immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, and plasma exchange. The choice of therapy should be tailored to the individual patient's situation, taking into account the severity of symptoms, potential side effects, patient autonomy, and past treatments. Treatment responses should be evaluated as objectively as possible using disability and impairment scales. Applying these outcome measures consistently in clinical practice aids in recognizing the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of a treatment and facilitates timely consideration of alternative diagnoses or treatments. This review provides an overview of the current perspectives on the diagnostic process and first-line treatments for managing the disease.

[Modern aspects of diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in children]

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of demographic, clinical, laboratory, electrophysiological and neuroimaging data and pathogenetic therapy of pediatric patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients (n=30) were observed in a separate structural unit of the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital of the Russian National Research Medical University named after. N.I. Pirogova Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in the period from 2006 to 2023. The examination was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Joint Task Force of the European Federation of Neurological Societies and the Peripheral Nerve Society on the Management of CIDP (2021). All patients received immunotherapy, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (n=1), IVIG and glucocorticosteroids (GCS) (n=17, 56.7%), IVIG+GCS+plasmapheresis (n=12, 40.0%). Alternative therapy included cyclophosphamide (n=1), cyclophosphamide followed by mycophenolate mofetil (n=1), rituximab (n=2, 6.6%), azathioprine (n=3), mycophenolate mofetil (n=2, 6.6%).

RESULTS

In all patients, there was a significant difference between scores on the MRCss and INCAT functional scales before and after treatment. At the moment, 11/30 (36.6%) patients are in clinical remission and are not receiving pathogenetic therapy. The median duration of remission is 48 months (30-84). The longest remission (84 months) was observed in a patient with the onset of CIDP at the age of 1 year 7 months.

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis of CIDP is important, since the disease is potentially curable; early administration of pathogenetic therapy provides a long-term favorable prognosis.

Genetic control of the dynamic transcriptional response to immune stimuli and glucocorticoids at single-cell resolution

Synthetic glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, have been used as a treatment for many immune conditions, such as asthma and, more recently, severe COVID-19. Single-cell data can capture more fine-grained details on transcriptional variability and dynamics to gain a better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of inter-individual variation in drug response. Here, we used single-cell RNA-seq to study the dynamics of the transcriptional response to glucocorticoids in activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 96 African American children. We used novel statistical approaches to calculate a mean-independent measure of gene expression variability and a measure of transcriptional response pseudotime. Using these approaches, we showed that glucocorticoids reverse the effects of immune stimulation on both gene expression mean and variability. Our novel measure of gene expression response dynamics, based on the diagonal linear discriminant analysis, separated individual cells by response status on the basis of their transcriptional profiles and allowed us to identify different dynamic patterns of gene expression along the response pseudotime. We identified genetic variants regulating gene expression mean and variability, including treatment-specific effects, and showed widespread genetic regulation of the transcriptional dynamics of the gene expression response.

Beneficial effects and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: A case report and literature review

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-mediated neuropathy. First-line treatments for CIDP include corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange. However, the application is always limited by high costs, effectiveness, and adverse events. This study investigated a new potentially effective and safe therapeutic treatment to alleviate CIDP symptoms and improve the quality of life. In the present case, a 47-year-old rural woman presented with weakness and numbness of progressive extremities. She was diagnosed with CIDP based on abnormal cerebrospinal fluid and electromyography. The patient was treated with intravenous dexamethasone for 1 week and with Huangqi-Guizhi-Wuwu and Bu-Yang-Huan-Wu decoctions for 90 days. Surprisingly, after the treatment, the weakness and numbness were eliminated, and the quality of life improved. The varying INCAT, MRC, and BI scores also reflected the treatment effects. After 8 months of discharge, the symptoms did not relapse during the follow-up. We also searched “traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)” and “CIDP” in PubMed, EMBASE, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Databases, Wanfang Data, and the Chongqing Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database. Finally, only ten studies were included in the literature review. Three studies were randomized controlled trials, and seven were case reports or case series. There were 419 CIDP patients, but all study sites were in China. Nine TCM formulas involving 44 herbs were reported, with Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus) being the most important herb. In conclusion, the case and literature demonstrated that TCM treatment might be a more effective, low-cost, and safe option for treating CIDP. Although these preliminary findings are promising, a larger sample size and higher-quality randomized clinical trials are urgently required to confirm our findings.

A Budget Impact Model of Maintenance Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy with IgPro20 (Hizentra) Relative to Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the United States

BACKGROUND

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare, progressive autoimmune disease causing peripheral nervous system dysfunction. Guidelines recommend immunoglobulin (IG) therapy as an immunomodulatory agent in CIDP. Drawbacks and unmet needs with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) include adverse effects and wear-off effects, along with the burden of administration based on site of care. Subcutaneous administration of Hizentra, a subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) reduces patient burden by allowing self-administration outside the hospital setting and has fewer adverse events (AEs).

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the expected cost of treatment and the budget impact of Hizentra compared with IVIG for maintenance treatment of CIDP in the United States.

METHODS

A decision tree model was developed to estimate the expected budget impact of maintenance treatment with Hizentra for US stakeholders. The model adopts primarily a US integrated delivery network perspective and, secondarily, a commercial perspective over a 1-year time horizon. Pharmacy costs were based on a payment mix of average sales price (73%), wholesale acquisition cost (2%), and average wholesale price (25%). Costs in the model reflect 2022 US dollars. In accordance with the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines and recommendations for budget impact modeling, no discounting was performed. The PATH clinical study of Hizentra maintenance in CIDP was used to determine clinical inputs for relapse rates at initial assessment (24 weeks) and at 52 weeks for Hizentra. The ICE clinical study of Gamunex maintenance in CIDP was the basis of relapse rates for Gamunex (and other IVIGs). Literature-based estimates were obtained for infusion costs by site of care, costs of IVIG infusion-related complications, and significant IVIG AE rates. Hizentra AE rates from the US Hizentra prescribing information were assessed but were not included in the model as the AEs in CIDP were mild, easily treated, and self-limited. Sensitivity analyses and scenario analyses were conducted to evaluate variations from the base case.

RESULTS

The model showed that a Hizentra starting dose of 0.2 g/kg is expected to result in annual cost savings of US$32,447 per patient compared with IVIG. For a hypothetical 25-million-member plan, the budget impact of a 10% market share shift from IVIG to Hizentra is expected to result in savings of US$2,296,235.

CONCLUSION

This analysis projects that Hizentra is likely associated with favorable economic benefit compared with IVIG in managing CIDP.

Current and Emerging Pharmacotherapeutic Interventions for the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Disorders

Peripheral nerve disorders are caused by a range of different aetiologies. The range of causes include metabolic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease. Diabetic neuropathy may be associated with severe weakness and the loss of sensation, leading to gangrene and amputation in advanced cases. Recent studies have indicated a high prevalence of neuropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease, also known as uraemic neuropathy. Immune-mediated neuropathies including Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy may cause significant physical disability. As survival rates continue to improve in cancer, the prevalence of treatment complications, such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, has also increased in treated patients and survivors. Notably, peripheral neuropathy associated with these conditions may be chronic and long-lasting, drastically affecting the quality of life of affected individuals, and leading to a large socioeconomic burden. This review article explores some of the major emerging clinical and experimental therapeutic agents that have been investigated for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy due to metabolic, toxic and immune aetiologies.

CIDP: Current Treatments and Identification of Targets for Future Specific Therapeutic Intervention

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system. This clinically heterogeneous neurological disorder is closely related to Guillain–Barré syndrome and is considered the chronic counterpart of that acute disease. Currently available treatments are mostly empirical; they include corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasma exchange and chronic immunosuppressive agents, either alone or in combination. Recent advances in the understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in CIDP have brought a number of novel ways of possible intervention for use in CIDP. This review summarizes selected pre-clinical and clinical findings, highlights the importance of using adapted animal models to evaluate the efficacy of novel treatments, and proposes the outlines of future directions to ameliorate the conditions of patients with CIDP.

Neurological complications induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors: a comprehensive descriptive case-series unravelling high risk of long-term sequelae

Neurological immune-related adverse events are complications of programmed-cell death 1 or programmed-cell death 1 ligand immunotherapies that can be life threatening and often lead to anticancer immunotherapy withdrawal. Scant clinical data are available that integrate the clinical presentation, therapeutic management and long-term outcome. All consecutive adult patients treated by programmed-cell death 1 or programmed-cell death 1 ligand immunotherapies, given alone or in combination with other treatment, who experienced a neurological immune-related adverse event with a severity grade ≥2 in Paris Saclay-University hospitals were investigated from June 2014 to February 2019. The frequency of neurological immune-related adverse events was calculated from the prospective Registre des Effets Indésirables Sévères des Anticorps Monoclonaux Immunomodulateurs en Cancérologie cohort. Forty patients presenting with 51 distinct neurological immune-related adverse events were included. The prevalence of grade ≥2 neurological immune-related adverse events was estimated to be 1.22% in the Registre des Effets Indésirables Sévères des Anticorps Monoclonaux Immunomodulateurs en Cancérologie cohort. Among 40 patients with neurological immune-related adverse events, 65% received programmed-cell death 1 or programmed-cell death 1 ligand monotherapy and 35% received a combination of programmed-cell death 1 plus anti-CTLA4 (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events). Clinical neurological presentations were peripheral (48%), central (35%), or mixed (18%). The severity of neurological immune-related adverse events was grade 2 for 14 (35%) and ≥grade 3 for 26 patients (65%). The mortality rate related to neurological immune-related adverse events was 8%. Corticosteroid treatment led to neurological recovery in 74%. Long-term follow-up highlighted that 53% of patients experienced long-term neurological sequelae. Five patients were rechallenged by programmed-cell death 1 monotherapy without recurrence of their neurological immune-related adverse event(s). Neurological immune-related adverse events induced by programmed-cell death 1 or programmed-cell death 1 ligand are rare but are severe with a mortality rate of 8% and long-term sequelae for 53% of patients. Corticosteroids should be started when neurological immunological complications are identified to avoid long-term sequelae.

Clinical outcome of CIDP one year after start of treatment: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To assess clinical outcome in treatment-naive patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP).

METHODS

We included adult treatment-naive patients participating in the prospective International CIDP Outcome Study (ICOS) that fulfilled the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) diagnostic criteria for CIDP. Patients were grouped based on initial treatment with (1) intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), (2) corticosteroid monotherapy or (3) IVIg and corticosteroids (combination treatment). Outcome measures included the inflammatory Rasch-built overall disability scale (I-RODS), grip strength, and Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score. Treatment response, treatment status, remissions (improved and untreated), treatment changes, and residual symptoms or deficits were assessed at 1 year.

RESULTS

Forty patients were included of whom 18 (45%) initially received IVIg, 6 (15%) corticosteroids, and 16 (40%) combination treatment. Improvement on ≥ 1 of the outcome measures was seen in 31 (78%) patients. At 1 year, 19 (48%) patients were still treated and fourteen (36%) patients were in remission. Improvement was seen most frequently in patients started on IVIg (94%) and remission in those started on combination treatment (44%). Differences between groups did not reach statistical significance. Residual symptoms or deficits ranged from 25% for neuropathic pain to 96% for any sensory deficit.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement was seen in most patients. One year after the start of treatment, more than half of the patients were untreated and around one-third in remission. Residual symptoms and deficits were common regardless of treatment.

Efficacy of rituximab treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Current standard treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) has been proved effective, but it is poorly effective in refractory patients and unclear for anti-IgG4 antibody-associated CIDP. Rituximab is a B cell-depleting monoclonal antibody. It has been applied as one of the management strategies in CIDP, but its efficacy is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the efficacy of rituximab treatment in CIDP patients.

METHODS

Through searches in MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, BIOSOS, Web of Science, and Cochrane library on March 31st, 2021, 15 studies were identified. Patients' characteristics, treatment regime and outcome measure were extracted.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients in 15 studies were included. The pooled estimate of responsiveness was 75% (95% CI 72-78%). The standard mean difference (SMD) of Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score improvement was 1.7 (95% CI 1.0-2.3, p value < 0.0001) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) score for muscle power is 1.3 (95% CI - 2.6 to - 0.1, p value 0.04). All of the anti-IgG4 antibody-positive patients showed excellent responses to rituximab treatment.

CONCLUSION

Rituximab was effective in the treatment in CIDP patients, especially in anti-IgG4 antibody-positive patients. Randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in CIDP patients.

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) clinical practice guideline on immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse events

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the standard of care for the treatment of several cancers. While these immunotherapies have improved patient outcomes in many clinical settings, they bring accompanying risks of toxicity, specifically immune-related adverse events (irAEs). There is a need for clear, effective guidelines for the management of irAEs during ICI treatment, motivating the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) to convene an expert panel to develop a clinical practice guideline. The panel discussed the recognition and management of single and combination ICI irAEs and ultimately developed evidence- and consensus-based recommendations to assist medical professionals in clinical decision-making and to improve outcomes for patients.

Comprehensive approaches for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is the most common chronic inflammatory neuropathy. CIDP is diagnosed according to the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) criteria, which combine clinical features with the electrophysiological evidence of demyelination. However, firstly, diagnosis is challenging, as some patients e.g. with severe early axonal damage do not fulfil the criteria. Secondly, objective and reliable tools to monitor the disease course are lacking. Thirdly, about 25% of CIDP patients do not respond to evidence-based first-line therapy. Recognition of these patients is difficult and treatment beyond first-line therapy is based on observational studies and case series only. Individualized immunomodulatory treatment does not exist due to the lack of understanding of essential aspects of the underlying pathophysiology.

Novel diagnostic imaging techniques and molecular approaches can help to solve these problems but do not find enough implementation. This review gives a comprehensive overview of novel diagnostic techniques and monitoring approaches for CIDP and how these can lead to individualized treatment and better understanding of pathophysiology.

Diagnostic challenges in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) consists of a spectrum of autoimmune diseases of the peripheral nerves, causing weakness and sensory symptoms. Diagnosis often is challenging, because of the heterogeneous presentation and both mis- and underdiagnosis are common. Nerve conduction study (NCS) abnormalities suggestive of demyelination are mandatory to fulfil the diagnostic criteria. On the one hand, performance and interpretation of NCS can be difficult and none of these demyelinating findings are specific for CIDP. On the other hand, not all patients will be detected despite the relatively high sensitivity of NCS abnormalities. The electrodiagnostic criteria can be supplemented with additional diagnostic tests such as CSF examination, MRI, nerve biopsy, and somatosensory evoked potentials. However, the evidence for each of these additional diagnostic tests is limited. Studies are often small without the use of a clinically relevant control group. None of the findings are specific for CIDP, meaning that the results of the diagnostic tests should be carefully interpreted. In this update we will discuss the pitfalls in diagnosing CIDP and the value of newly introduced diagnostic tests such as nerve ultrasound and testing for autoantibodies, which are not yet part of the guidelines.

Diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in clinical practice: A survey among Dutch neurologists

The diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is often a challenge. The clinical presentation is diverse, accurate biomarkers are lacking, and the best strategy to initiate and maintain treatment is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine how neurologists diagnose and treat CIDP. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey on diagnostic and treatment practices among Dutch neurologists involved in the clinical care of CIDP patients. Forty‐four neurologists completed the survey (44/71; 62%). The respondents indicated to use the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) 2010 CIDP guideline for the diagnosis in 77% and for treatment in 50%. Only 57% of respondents indicated that the presence of demyelinating electrophysiological findings was mandatory to confirm the diagnosis of CIDP. Most neurologists used intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) as first choice treatment, but the indications to start, optimize, or withdraw IVIg, and the use of other immune‐modulatory therapies varied. University‐affiliated respondents used the EFNS/PNS 2010 diagnostic criteria, nerve imaging tools, and immunosuppressive drugs more often. Despite the existence of an international guideline, there is considerable variation among neurologists in the strategies employed to diagnose and treat CIDP. More specific recommendations regarding: (a) the minimal set of electrophysiological requirements to diagnose CIDP, (b) the possible added value of nerve imaging, especially in patients not meeting the electrodiagnostic criteria, (c) the most relevant serological examinations, and (d) the clear treatment advice, in the new EFNS/PNS guideline, would likely support its implementation in clinical practice.

Severe CIDP-MGUS responsive to Rituximab

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a relatively rare disease with progressive limb weakness and sensory loss. A few patients show a severely progressing course without major response to intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange therapy. CIDP-MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) is a seldom CIDP variant that has been rarely addressed in therapeutic studies. In the presented CIDP-MGUS case, B cell depletion with rituximab had a favourable effect on the disease course, clinically and in nerve conduction studies.

Distinguish CIDP with autoantibody from that without autoantibody: pathogenesis, histopathology, and clinical features

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is considered to be an immune-mediated heterogeneous disease involving cellular and humoral immunity. In recent years, autoantibodies against nodal/paranodal protein neurofascin155 (NF155), neurofascin186 (NF186), contactin-1 (CNTN1), and contactin-associated protein 1 (CASPR1) have been identified in a small subset of patients with CIDP, which disrupt axo-glial interactions at nodes/paranodes. Although CIDP electrodiagnosis was made in patients with anti-nodal/paranodal component autoantibodies, macrophage-induced demyelination, the characteristic of typical CIDP, was not observed. Apart from specific histopathology, the pathogenic mechanisms and clinical manifestations of CIDP with autoantibody are also distinct. We herein compared pathogenesis, histopathology, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic response in CIDP with autoantibody vs. CIDP without autoantibody. CIDP with autoantibodies should be considered as an independent disease entity, not a subtype of CIDP due to many differences. They possibly should be classified as CIDP-like chronic nodo-paranodopathy, which can better characterize these disorders, help diagnose and make the most effective therapeutic decisions.

Efficacy and Safety of Octagam® in Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Introduction

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a debilitating autoimmune neuropathy that is treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the sucrose-free IVIG Octagam® (Octapharma AG, Lachen, Switzerland) in patients with CIDP.

Methods

Data from 47 patients who received at least one dose of Octagam were collected from the records of 11 centres in France. Efficacy was assessed using Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (ONLS). Safety was evaluated using adverse event rates.

Results

Data from 24 patients who were IVIG naïve (n = 11) or had stopped IVIG ≥ 12 weeks before   initiation of Octagam therapy (washout group; n  = 13) were included in the efficacy analysis. At 4 months post-initiation of Octagam treatment, 41.7% of patients had improved their functional status (decrease of ≥ 1 ONLS score) with a significant change   in the ONLS score from baseline (– 0.42; p = 0.04; signed test). Functional status was reduced in only two patients: one patient in the IVIG-naïve group and one patient in the IVIG-washout group. All 47 patients were included in the safety analysis, which showed that Octagam was well tolerated, with a frequency of 0.04 adverse events per Octagam course. The most common adverse drug reaction was headache.

Conclusions

These real-life results are consistent with the efficacy and safety of IVIG reported in randomised controlled studies. A long-term prospective study of Octagam in patients with CIDP is warranted.

Funding

Octapharma, France SAS.

Corticosteroids in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy : A retrospective, multicentre study, comparing efficacy and safety of daily prednisolone, pulsed dexamethasone, and pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone

Background

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) can be treated with corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulins. Various corticosteroid regimens are currently used in CIDP, but it is unknown whether they are equally efficacious. In this retrospective study, we compared efficacy and safety of three corticosteroid regimens in CIDP patients.

Methods

We included treatment naïve patients that fulfilled the EFNS/PNS criteria for CIDP. Patients were treated with corticosteroids according to the local protocol of three CIDP expertise centres. Corticosteroid regimens consisted of daily oral prednisolone, pulsed oral dexamethasone, or pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone. Outcomes were number of responders to treatment, remission rate of treatment responders, overall probability of 5-year remission, and the occurrence of adverse events.

Results

A total of 125 patients were included. Sixty-seven (54%) patients received daily prednisone or prednisolone, 37 (30%) pulsed dexamethasone, and 21 (17%) pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone. Overall, 60% (95% CI 51–69%) responded to corticosteroids, with no significant difference between the three treatment regimens (p = 0.56). From the 75 responders, 61% (95% CI 50–73%) remained in remission, during a median follow-up of 55 months (range 1–197 months). The probability of responders reaching 5-year remission was 55% (95% Cl 44–70%), with no difference between the three groups. Adverse events leading to a change in treatment occurred in ten patients (8%). Two patients had a serious adverse event.

Conclusion

Corticosteroids lead to improvement in 60% of patients and to remission in 61% of treatment responders. There were no differences between treatment modalities in terms of efficacy and safety.

Second regional plasmapheresis conference and workshop for Southeast Asia (SEA) on the immunomodulatory role of plasma exchange in central and peripheral nervous system disorders, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9th December 2017

In December 2017, 79 delegates attended the 2nd regional plasmapheresis conference and workshop for Southeast Asia (SEA) on the immunomodulatory role of plasma exchange in central and peripheral nervous system disorders in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This meeting featured 6 plenary lectures, interactive sessions dedicated for experience sharing, case presentations, and a practical session for paramedics. Clinical experts and researchers from 7 SEA countries and India shared experience and challenges in treating autoimmune neurological disorders. While the spectrum of diseases and neurology practice remained largely similar, there was great disparities in accessibility of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) within SEA countries and between urban or rural settings. Costs, human resources, and healthcare policies are common challenges in providing sustainable TPE services. Novel techniques and innovative ideas in performing TPE were explored. A working consortium comprising of key opinion leaders was proposed to improve standards of TPE and enhance future research.