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Achleitner M, Steenblock C, Dänhardt J, Jarzebska N, Kardashi R, Kanczkowski W, Straube R, Rodionov RN, Bornstein N, Tselmin S, Kaiser F, Bucher R, Barbir M, Wong ML, Voit-Bak K, Licinio J, Bornstein SR. Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2872-2877. [PMID: 37131073 PMCID: PMC10152027 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02084-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are witnessing an unprecedented wave of post-infectious complications. Most prominently, millions of patients with Long-Covid complain about chronic fatigue and severe post-exertional malaise. Therapeutic apheresis has been suggested as an efficient treatment option for alleviating and mitigating symptoms in this desperate group of patients. However, little is known about the mechanisms and biomarkers correlating with treatment outcomes. Here, we have analyzed in different cohorts of Long-Covid patients specific biomarkers before and after therapeutic apheresis. In patients that reported a significant improvement following two cycles of therapeutic apheresis, there was a significant reduction in neurotransmitter autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammatory markers. Furthermore, we observed a 70% reduction in fibrinogen, and following apheresis, erythrocyte rouleaux formation and fibrin fibers largely disappeared as demonstrated by dark field microscopy. This is the first study demonstrating a pattern of specific biomarkers with clinical symptoms in this patient group. It may therefore form the basis for a more objective monitoring and a clinical score for the treatment of Long-Covid and other postinfectious syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Achleitner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Charlotte Steenblock
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Juliane Dänhardt
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalia Jarzebska
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Romina Kardashi
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Waldemar Kanczkowski
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Richard Straube
- Zentrum für Apherese- und Hämofiltration am INUS Tageklinikum, Cham, Germany
| | - Roman N Rodionov
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nitzan Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sergey Tselmin
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Ronald Bucher
- Biologicum Baden-Baden INUSpherese Zentrum, Baden-Baden, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Barbir
- Department of Cardiology, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, United Kingdom
| | - Ma-Li Wong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Karin Voit-Bak
- Zentrum für Apherese- und Hämofiltration am INUS Tageklinikum, Cham, Germany
| | - Julio Licinio
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
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2
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Steenblock C, Walther R, Tselmin S, Jarzebska N, Voit-Bak K, Toepfner N, Siepmann T, Passauer J, Hugo C, Wintermann G, Julius U, Barbir M, Khan TZ, Puhan MA, Straube R, Hohenstein B, Bornstein SR, Rodionov RN. Post COVID and Apheresis - Where are we Standing? Horm Metab Res 2022; 54:715-720. [PMID: 36113501 DOI: 10.1055/a-1945-9694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
A continual increase in cases of Long/Post COVID constitutes a medical and socioeconomic challenge to health systems around the globe. While the true extent of this problem cannot yet be fully evaluated, recent data suggest that up to 20% of people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 suffer from clinically relevant symptoms of Long/Post COVID several weeks to months after the acute phase. The clinical presentation is highly variable with the main symptoms being chronic fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive symptoms. Extracorporeal apheresis has been suggested to alleviate symptoms of Post/COVID. Thus, numerous patients are currently treated with apheresis. However, at present there is no data from randomized controlled trials available to confirm the efficacy. Therefore, physicians rely on the experience of practitioners and centers performing this treatment. Here, we summarize clinical experience on extracorporeal apheresis in patients with Post/COVID from centers across Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Steenblock
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Romy Walther
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sergey Tselmin
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalia Jarzebska
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- University Center for Vascular Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karin Voit-Bak
- Zentrum für Apherese- und Hämofiltration am INUS Tagesklinikum, Cham, Germany
| | - Nicole Toepfner
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Timo Siepmann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Passauer
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Hugo
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gloria Wintermann
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulrich Julius
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Barbir
- Department of Cardiology, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Tina Z Khan
- Department of Cardiology, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Milo A Puhan
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Richard Straube
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bernd Hohenstein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Roman N Rodionov
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- University Center for Vascular Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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3
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is an unprecedented challenge for the global community. The pathogenesis of COVID-19, its complications and long term sequelae (so called Long/Post-COVID) include, in addition to the direct virus-induced tissues injury, multiple secondary processes, such as autoimmune response, impairment of microcirculation, and hyperinflammation. Similar pathological processes, but in the settings of neurological, cardiovascular, rheumatological, nephrological, and dermatological diseases can be successfully treated by powerful methods of Therapeutic Apheresis (TA). We describe here the rationale and the initial attempts of TA treatment in severe cases of acute COVID-19. We next review the evidence for the role of autoimmunity, microcirculatory changes and inflammation in pathogenesis of Long/Post COVID and the rationale for targeting those pathogenic processes by different methods of TA. Finally, we discuss the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients, who undergo regular TA treatments due to their underlying chronic conditions, with the specific focus on the patients with inherited lipid diseases being treated at the Dresden University Apheresis Center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Tselmin
- University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Lipidology and Center for Extracorporeal Therapy, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulrich Julius
- University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Lipidology and Center for Extracorporeal Therapy, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalia Jarzebska
- University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, University Center for Vascular Medicine, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Roman N Rodionov
- University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Lipidology and Center for Extracorporeal Therapy, University Center for Vascular Medicine, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Dorst J, Fillies F, Dreyhaupt J, Senel M, Tumani H. Safety and Tolerability of Plasma Exchange and Immunoadsorption in Neuroinflammatory Diseases. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092874. [PMID: 32899499 PMCID: PMC7565027 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasma exchange (PE) and immunoadsorption (IA) are frequently used for treatment of various autoimmune-mediated neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Although both methods are generally regarded as well-tolerated treatment options, evidence for safety and tolerability is low for most indications and largely relies on small case series. In this study, we retrospectively analysed adverse events (AEs) and laboratory changes in 284 patients with various neurological indications who received either PE (n = 65, 113 cycles) or IA (n = 219, 435 cycles) between 2013 and 2020 in our Neurology department. One standard treatment cycle for PE as well as IA consisted of five treatments on five consecutive days. During every treatment, the 2.0-2.5-fold individual plasma volume (PV) was treated in IA, while in PE, the 0.7-fold individual PV was replaced by human albumin solution. Overall, both methods showed an excellent safety profile; no deaths of life-threatening adverse events were recorded. Severe AEs (corresponding to grade 3 on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grading scale v5.0) including three patients with sepsis, one pneumonia, and one pneumothorax were present in 5/435 IA cycles (1.1%); in the PE group, no severe AEs were recorded. Furthermore, although advantageous tolerability is generally considered the main advantage of IA over PE, we found that overall frequency of AEs (including grades 1 and 2) was higher in IA (67.1% of all cycles) compared to PE (35.4%; p < 0.001). The low incidence of AEs in PE might be caused by the lower PV exchanged during each treatment (0.7-fold) compared to previous studies which predominantly exchanged the 1.0-1.5-fold PV. In order to verify this hypothesis as well as confirming the efficacy of this lower-dosed scheme, prospective studies comparing different treatment regimens are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Dorst
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.F.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Frank Fillies
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.F.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Jens Dreyhaupt
- Institute for Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Makbule Senel
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.F.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Hayrettin Tumani
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.F.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
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5
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Immunoadsorption enables successful rAAV5-mediated repeated hepatic gene delivery in nonhuman primates. Blood Adv 2020; 3:2632-2641. [PMID: 31501158 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based liver gene therapy has been shown to be clinically successful. However, the presence of circulating neutralizing antibodies (NABs) against AAV vector capsids remains a major challenge as it may prevent successful transduction of the target cells. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies that would enable AAV-mediated gene delivery to patients with preexisting anti-AAV NABs. In the current study, the feasibility of using an immunoadsorption (IA) procedure for repeated, liver-targeted gene delivery in nonhuman primates was explored. The animals were administered IV with recombinant AAV5 (rAAV5) carrying the reporter gene human secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (hSEAP). Seven weeks after the first rAAV treatment, all of the animals were readministered with rAAV5 carrying the therapeutic hemophilia B gene human factor IX (hFIX). Half of the animals administered with rAAV5-hSEAP underwent IA prior to the second rAAV5 exposure. The transduction efficacies of rAAV5-hSEAP and rAAV5-hFIX were assessed by measuring the levels of hSEAP and hFIX proteins. Although no hFIX was detected after rAAV5-hFIX readministration without prior IA, all animals submitted to IA showed therapeutic levels of hFIX expression, and a threshold of anti-AAV5 NAB levels compatible with successful readministration was demonstrated. In summary, our data demonstrate that the use of a clinically applicable IA procedure enables successful readministration of an rAAV5-based gene transfer in a clinically relevant animal model. Finally, the analysis of anti-AAV NAB levels in human subjects submitted to IA confirmed the safety and efficacy of the procedure to reduce anti-AAV NABs. Furthermore, clinical translation was assessed using an immunoglobulin G assay as surrogate.
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Malchesky PS, Akizawa T. Bernd Hohenstein appointed as Editor representing the European Group—International Society for Apheresis. Ther Apher Dial 2020; 24:245-247. [DOI: 10.1111/1744-9987.13496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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7
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Plasma Exchange or Immunoadsorption in Demyelinating Diseases: A Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9051597. [PMID: 32466101 PMCID: PMC7290597 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease mainly affecting the central nervous system. In MS, abnormal immune mechanisms induce acute inflammation, demyelination, axonal loss, and the formation of central nervous system plaques. The long-term treatment involves options to modify the disease progression, whereas the treatment for the acute relapse has its focus in the administration of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (up to 1000 mg daily) over a period of three to five days as a first step. If symptoms of the acute relapse persist, it is defined as glucocorticosteroid-unresponsive, and immunomodulation by apheresis is recommended. However, several national and international guidelines have no uniform recommendations on using plasma exchange (PE) nor immunoadsorption (IA) in this case. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, including observational studies or randomized controlled trials that investigated the effect of PE or IA on different courses of MS and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). One thousand, three hundred and eighty-three patients were included in the evaluation. Therapy response in relapsing-remitting MS and clinically isolated syndrome was 76.6% (95%CI 63.7–89.8%) in PE- and 80.6% (95%CI 69.3–91.8%) in IA-treated patients. Based on the recent literature, PE and IA may be considered as equal treatment possibilities in patients suffering from acute, glucocorticosteroid-unresponsive MS relapses.
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8
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Dorst J, Fangerau T, Taranu D, Eichele P, Dreyhaupt J, Michels S, Schuster J, Ludolph AC, Senel M, Tumani H. Safety and efficacy of immunoadsorption versus plasma exchange in steroid-refractory relapse of multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome: A randomised, parallel-group, controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2019; 16:98-106. [PMID: 31832624 PMCID: PMC6890948 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma exchange (PE) constitutes the standard therapy for steroid-refractory relapse in multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome. Immunoadsorption (IA) is an alternative method of apheresis which selectively removes immunoglobulines (Ig) while preserving other plasma proteins. Although IA is regarded as a well-tolerated, low-risk procedure, high-level evidence for its efficacy is lacking. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether IA is superior to PE in patients with acute relapse of multiple sclerosis or clinically isolated syndrome who had insufficiently responded to high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (MP). METHODS Patients with acute relapse of multiple sclerosis or clinically isolated syndrome and without complete clinical remission of symptoms after at least one cycle of high-dose intravenous MP therapy were enrolled to our randomised, controlled, parallel-group, monocentric trial. Eligible patients were aged at least 12 years and had no clinical or laboratory signs of systemic infection. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either IA or PE. Patients in both groups received 5 treatments on 5 consecutive days. In the IA group, the 2.0-fold individual total plasma volume was processed on day 1, and the 2.5-fold on days 2-5. In the PE group, 2 liters of plasma (corresponding to the 0.69 ± 0.12-fold individual total plasma volume) were removed each day and substituted by 5% human albumin solution. Patients were followed up directly after last apheresis as well as 2 and 4 weeks after last treatment. The primary endpoint was change of the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) after 4 weeks compared to baseline. Analyses of primary outcome and safety measures were done in all patients who received at least one treatment (intention-to-treat-population). The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02671682. FINDINGS Between January 21, 2016, and October 26, 2018, 63 patients were screened for eligibility, and 61 patients were randomly assigned to receive IA (n = 31) or PE (n = 30). All randomised patients were included in the intention-to-treat-analysis. For the primary outcome, the median improvement of MSFC after 4 weeks compared to baseline was 0.385 (IQR 0.200-0.675; p < 0.001) in the IA group and 0.265 (IQR 0.100-0.408; p < 0.001) in the PE group. Improvement in the IA group was significantly larger (p = 0.034) compared to PE. Response rates after 4 weeks were 86.7% in the IA group and 76.7% in the PE group. One deep venous thrombosis occurred in each group. INTERPRETATION Both IA and PE were safe in patients with steroid-refractory relapse and resulted in significant improvements of the primary outcome MSFC after 4 weeks compared to baseline. IA patients showed significantly larger improvements of MSFC compared to PE patients after 4 weeks. The results indicate a potential superiority of IA compared to PE in treatment of steroid-refractory relapse in multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome, which has to be confirmed by future studies. FUNDING Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH, Bad Homburg, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Dorst
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
- Corresponding author.
| | - Tanja Fangerau
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniela Taranu
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Pia Eichele
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jens Dreyhaupt
- Institute for Epidemiology und Medical Biometry, University of Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Michels
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Joachim Schuster
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Makbule Senel
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Hayrettin Tumani
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
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9
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Rolfes L, Pfeuffer S, Ruck T, Melzer N, Pawlitzki M, Heming M, Brand M, Wiendl H, Meuth SG. Therapeutic Apheresis in Acute Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: Current Evidence and Unmet Needs-A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8101623. [PMID: 31590282 PMCID: PMC6832170 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8101623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most abundant inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. Despite recent advances in its long-term immunomodulatory treatment, MS patients still suffer from relapses, significantly contributing to disability accrual. In recent years, apheresis procedures such as therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and immunoadsorption (IA) have been recognized as two options for treating MS relapses, that do not respond to standard treatment with corticosteroids. TPE is already incorporated in most international guidelines, although evidence for its use resulted mostly from either case series or small unblinded and/or non-randomized trials. Data on IA are still sparse, but several studies indicate comparable efficacy between both apheresis procedures. This article gives an overview of the published evidence on TPE and IA in the treatment of acute relapses in MS. Further, we outline current evidence regarding individual outcome predictors, describe technical details of apheresis procedures, and discuss apheresis treatment in children and during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leoni Rolfes
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Steffen Pfeuffer
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Tobias Ruck
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Nico Melzer
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Marc Pawlitzki
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Michael Heming
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Marcus Brand
- Department of Internal Medicine D, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
| | - Sven G Meuth
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
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10
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Eyre M, Hacohen Y, Barton C, Hemingway C, Lim M. Therapeutic plasma exchange in paediatric neurology: a critical review and proposed treatment algorithm. Dev Med Child Neurol 2018; 60:765-779. [PMID: 29856068 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.13925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been a key immunotherapeutic strategy in numerous neurological syndromes, predominantly during the acute phase of illness. This paper reviews the indications, strength of evidence, and safety of TPE in children with neurological conditions. The rarity of these immune conditions in children, alongside an often incomplete understanding of their pathobiology, has limited the development of a robust scientific rationale for TPE therapy and the feasibility of conducting larger controlled trials. TPE continues to be used, but is a costly therapy with common adverse effects. Uncertainty remains over how to compare the different TPE methods, the optimal dosage of therapy, and monitoring and integration of TPE with other immunotherapies. Further studies are also required to define the indications and benefits of TPE and assess evolving technologies such as immunoadsorption. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Studies investigating therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) are small and mainly uncontrolled. They provide evidence for the efficacy of TPE in childhood neuro-inflammatory conditions. TPE is generally well tolerated provided key adverse effects are anticipated and avoided. Systematic dosing and objective assessment of treatment effect should be priorities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Eyre
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.,Children's Neurosciences, Evelina London Children's Hospital at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre, London, UK
| | - Yael Hacohen
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.,Department of Neuroinflammation, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Carmen Barton
- Children's Kidney Service, Evelina London Children's Hospital at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre, London, UK
| | - Cheryl Hemingway
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Ming Lim
- Children's Neurosciences, Evelina London Children's Hospital at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre, London, UK.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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11
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Tselmin S, Julius U, Bornstein SR, Hohenstein B. Low rate of infectious complications following immunoadsorption therapy without regular substitution of intravenous immunoglobulins. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2017; 30:278-282. [PMID: 29096850 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosissup.2017.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunoadsorption (IA) is increasingly used instead of plasma exchange due to lower risk of side effects and a higher selectivity. As a consequence of the reduction of immunoglobulins (Ig), the rate of infectious complications might increase in those patients. We therefore aimed to investigate the infection rate following IA without intravenous IG (IVIG) substitution in our apheresis center, where patients do not receive IVIG on a regular basis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of the IA treatments performed between 2010 and 2015 without IVIG substitution and collected data on patient age, diagnosis, number of IA treatments, serum levels of Ig, total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and infectious complications that occurred within 2 months after the IA treatment cycle. RESULTS A total number of 52 patients (27 females) received at least 5 IA sessions using the following adsorbers: TheraSorb™-Ig (n = 3), TheraSorb™-Ig flex (n = 44), TheraSorb™ Ig pro (n = 1) and TheraSorb™-IgE (n = 5). The median number of treatment sessions was 8.8 [range 5-16], the median IgG reduction was 82 [11-99] %. Serum albumin was decreased by 8%. The median CRP levels remained normal until the end of therapy and within 2 months after that (3.10 and 4.30 mg/L respectively). Only 4 patients had infections (7.7%). Three of them received additional immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS Immunoadsorption leads to a significant reduction of IgG. CRP as inflammatory marker is not affected. Even without substitution of IVIG the complication rate directly linked with IA is low and questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Tselmin
- Extracorporeal Treatment and Lipoprotein Apheresis Center, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Julius
- Extracorporeal Treatment and Lipoprotein Apheresis Center, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Extracorporeal Treatment and Lipoprotein Apheresis Center, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Bernd Hohenstein
- Extracorporeal Treatment and Lipoprotein Apheresis Center, Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Müller G, Meissner S, Walther J, Koch E, Morawietz H. In vivo imaging of murine vasodynamics analyzing different mouse strains by optical coherence tomography. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2017; 30:311-318. [PMID: 29096856 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosissup.2017.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We tried to circumvent the limitations of standard organ chamber experiments using in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) to analyze the vascular function of small arteries in different mouse strains. METHODS OCT images were acquired with a two-axis galvanometer scanner head. Time series (3 frames per second, 300 × 512 pixel per frame) of cross-sectional images were analyzed with image processing software measuring the time course of vessel lumen dynamics. Vascular function of murine saphenous artery of male C57BL/6 (wild-type) and hypercholesterolemic LDLR knockout (LDLR-/-) mice was analyzed at 6 weeks and after 14 weeks feeding a control or high-fat diet containing 21.2% butter fat and 2.1 mg/kg cholesterol. Vasoconstriction and vasodilation was analyzed by OCT in response to 80 mM K+ and 1 mM SNP. RESULTS The OCT technique allowed determination of inner diameter, flow resistance, maximal velocity of diameter change and time to half-maximal diameter change in murine saphenous arteries of wild-type and LDLR-/- mice. LDLR-/- had impaired vasodilation and changes in vasodynamics after 14 weeks on control or high-fat diet, compared to wild-type mice. The diameter of the saphenous artery of LDLR-/- mice was reduced after vasoconstriction (38 ± 7 μm vs 12 ± 6 μm) and vasodilation (245 ± 8 μm vs 220 ± 10 μm) (P < 0.05 vs C57BL/6). CONCLUSION OCT was used as an innovative method to image vascular function of small arteries of wild-type and hypercholesterolemic LDLR-/- mice after high-fat diet. The method offers the ability to display differences in the vasodynamics at early stages of endothelial dysfunction in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Müller
- Division of Vascular Endothelium and Microcirculation, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sven Meissner
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Walther
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Edmund Koch
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Henning Morawietz
- Division of Vascular Endothelium and Microcirculation, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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