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Torgauten HM, Onyango TB, Ljostveit S, Hallin EI, Serkland TT, Skrede S, Langeland N, Cox RJ, Wergeland S, Myhr KM, Torkildsen Ø. Hospitalisations and humoral COVID-19 vaccine response in vaccinated rituximab-treated multiple sclerosis patients. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 89:105770. [PMID: 39029342 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with anti-CD20 therapies such as rituximab may have increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease. Vaccination induces protective immunity, but humoral vaccine response is known to be attenuated in rituximab-treated MS-patients-patients, which has indicated a need for real world data on severe morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 after vaccination. METHODS Rituximab-treated patients treated at Haukeland University Hospital were identified through the National MS Registry and invited to participate in the study by giving a consent and providing a blood sample 3 weeks or later after ordinary COVID-19- vaccination, i.e. 2 doses given with a standard interval of 3 weeks. Blood samples were analysed with Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate humoral vaccine response with screening test against receptor-binding domain (RBD) and confirmatory Spike IgG-specific ELISA. A haemagglutination test (HAT) was performed as a marker of neutralizing antibodies. Patient serum concentration of rituximab were quantified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Registry data from the Norwegian MS registry and information on hospitalization from patient records were collected and linked to laboratory results. RESULTS 111 patients were included in the study. A total of 7 (6.3%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19 disease during the observation period. No patient was admitted to ICU and there were no deaths. 34.2% did not have detectable titre of SARS CoV-2 Spike IgG antibodies, 72.1% did not have a detectable titre of SARS CoV-2 RBD antibodies, and 88.2% did not have a detectable HAT titre. There was a correlation between hospitalisation and the absence of SARS CoV-2 Spike IgG antibody titre, and between hospitalisation and MS disease duration, as well as between spike IgG antibody titre and CD19 B-cell count, time since last rituximab infusion, cumulative rituximab treatment time and total IgG level in the patients. CONCLUSION A substantial proportion of rituximab-treated MS-patients-patients did not have detectable humoral vaccine responses after 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccination. Despite this, the cumulative percentage of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 disease throughout the observation period of 22 months was low, and no patients required ICU treatment. The results support that vaccinated MS-patients treated with rituximab have a protective effect against serious Covid-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilde M Torgauten
- Neuro-SysMed, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Sonja Ljostveit
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Influenza Centre, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik I Hallin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Trond T Serkland
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Silje Skrede
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nina Langeland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; National Advisory Unit for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rebecca Jane Cox
- Influenza Centre, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stig Wergeland
- Neuro-SysMed, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Norwegian MS Registry, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kjell-Morten Myhr
- Neuro-SysMed, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Øivind Torkildsen
- Neuro-SysMed, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Hallberg S, Evertsson B, Lillvall E, Boremalm M, de Flon P, Wang Y, Salzer J, Lycke J, Fink K, Frisell T, Al Nimer F, Svenningsson A. Hypogammaglobulinaemia during rituximab treatment in multiple sclerosis: A Swedish cohort study. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16331. [PMID: 38794973 PMCID: PMC11236063 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Mechanisms behind hypogammaglobulinaemia during rituximab treatment are poorly understood. METHODS In this register-based multi-centre retrospective cohort study of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Sweden, 2745 patients from six participating Swedish MS centres were identified via the Swedish MS registry and included between 14 March 2008 and 25 January 2021. The exposure was treatment with at least one dose of rituximab for MS or clinically isolated syndrome, including data on treatment duration and doses. The degree of yearly decrease in immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels was evaluated. RESULTS The mean decrease in IgG was 0.27 (95% confidence interval 0.17-0.36) g/L per year on rituximab treatment, slightly less in older patients, and without significant difference between sexes. IgG or IgM below the lower limit of normal (<6.7 or <0.27 g/L) was observed in 8.8% and 8.3% of patients, respectively, as nadir measurements. Six out of 2745 patients (0.2%) developed severe hypogammaglobulinaemia (IgG below 4.0 g/L) during the study period. Time on rituximab and accumulated dose were the main predictors for IgG decrease. Previous treatment with fingolimod and natalizumab, but not teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, interferons or glatiramer acetate, were significantly associated with lower baseline IgG levels by 0.80-1.03 g/L, compared with treatment-naïve patients. Switching from dimethyl fumarate or interferons was associated with an additional IgG decline of 0.14-0.19 g/L per year, compared to untreated. CONCLUSIONS Accumulated dose and time on rituximab treatment are associated with a modest but significant decline in immunoglobulin levels. Previous MS therapies may influence additional IgG decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Hallberg
- Department of Clinical SciencesKarolinska Institutet, Danderyds SjukhusStockholmSweden
| | - Björn Evertsson
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Ellen Lillvall
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Malin Boremalm
- Department of Clinical Science, NeurosciencesUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Pierre de Flon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Unit of Neurology, ÖstersundUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Yunzhang Wang
- Department of Clinical SciencesKarolinska Institutet, Danderyds SjukhusStockholmSweden
| | - Jonatan Salzer
- Department of Clinical Science, NeurosciencesUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Jan Lycke
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Katharina Fink
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Thomas Frisell
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine SolnaKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Faiez Al Nimer
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Anders Svenningsson
- Department of Clinical SciencesKarolinska Institutet, Danderyds SjukhusStockholmSweden
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Virtanen S, Piehl F, Frisell T. Impact of previous treatment history and B-cell depletion treatment duration on infection risk in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a nationwide cohort study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2024:jnnp-2023-333206. [PMID: 38744458 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2023-333206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B-cell depletion displays striking effectiveness in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but is also associated with increased infection risk. To what degree previous treatment history, disease-modifying therapy (DMT) switching pattern and time on treatment modulate this risk is unknown. The objective here was to evaluate previous DMT use and treatment duration as predictors of infection risk with B-cell depletion. METHODS We conducted a nationwide RRMS cohort study leveraging data from the Swedish MS registry and national demographic and health registries recording all outpatient-treated and inpatient-treated infections and antibiotics prescriptions from 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2021. The risk of infection during treatment was compared by DMT, treatment duration, number and type of prior treatment and adjusted for a number of covariates. RESULTS Among 4694 patients with RRMS on B-cell depletion (rituximab), 6049 on other DMTs and 20 308 age-sex matched population controls, we found higher incidence rates of inpatient-treated infections with DMTs other than rituximab used in first line (10.4; 95% CI 8.1 to 12.9, per 1000 person-years), being further increased with rituximab (22.7; 95% CI 18.5 to 27.5), compared with population controls (6.6; 95% CI 6.0 to 7.2). Similar patterns were seen for outpatient infections and antibiotics prescriptions. Infection rates on rituximab did not vary between first versus later line treatment, type of DMT before switch or exposure time. CONCLUSION These findings underscore an important safety concern with B-cell depletion in RRMS, being evident also in individuals with shorter disease duration and no previous DMT exposure, in turn motivating the application of risk mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Virtanen
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Frisell
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Elgenidy A, Abdelhalim NN, Al-kurdi MAM, Mohamed LA, Ghoneim MM, Fathy AW, Hassaan HK, Anan A, Alomari O. Hypogammaglobulinemia and infections in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with anti-CD20 treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 19,139 multiple sclerosis patients. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1380654. [PMID: 38699050 PMCID: PMC11063306 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1380654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent years have seen the emergence of disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis (MS), such as anti-cluster of differentiation 20 (anti-CD20) monoclonal antibodies, aiming to modulate the immune response and effectively manage MS. However, the relationship between anti-CD20 treatments and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, particularly the development of hypogammaglobulinemia and subsequent infection risks, remains a subject of scientific interest and variability. We aimed to investigate the intricate connection between anti-CD20 MS treatments, changes in IgG levels, and the associated risk of hypogammaglobulinemia and subsequent infections. Method PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases have been searched for relevant studies. The "R" software utilized to analyze the occurrence of hypogammaglobulinemia, infections and mean differences in IgG levels pre- and post-treatment. The subgrouping analyses were done based on drug type and treatment duration. The assessment of heterogeneity utilized the I2 and chi-squared tests, applying the random effect model. Results Thirty-nine articles fulfilled our inclusion criteria and were included in our review which included a total of 20,501 MS patients. The overall prevalence rate of hypogammaglobulinemia was found to be 11% (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.15). Subgroup analysis based on drug type revealed varying prevalence rates, with rituximab showing the highest at 18%. Subgroup analysis based on drug usage duration revealed that the highest proportion of hypogammaglobulinemia occurred in individuals taking the drugs for 1 year or less (19%). The prevalence of infections in MS patients with a focus on different infection types stratified by the MS drug used revealed that pulmonary infections were the most prevalent (9%) followed by urinary tract infections (6%), gastrointestinal infections (2%), and skin and mucous membrane infections (2%). Additionally, a significant decrease in mean IgG levels after treatment compared to before treatment, with a mean difference of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.22 to 0.93). Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of anti-CD20 drugs on serum IgG levels in MS patients, exploring the prevalence of hypogammaglobulinemia, based on different drug types, treatment durations, and infection patterns. The identified rates and patterns offer a foundation for clinicians to consider in their risk-benefit. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=518239, CRD42024518239.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas Elgenidy
- Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ahmed Anan
- Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Omar Alomari
- Hamidiye International School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Gandelman S, Lenzi KA, Markowitz C, Berger JR. A Proposed Approach to Screening and Surveillance Labs for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis on Anti-CD20 Therapy. Neurol Clin Pract 2024; 14:e200241. [PMID: 38204588 PMCID: PMC10775160 DOI: 10.1212/cpj.0000000000200241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Anti-CD20 therapies have proven to be highly effective and safe therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and have had rapid uptake in the MS community. However, no clear consensus has arisen regarding an approach to screening or surveillance lab monitoring. Recent Findings Based on current evidence, for screening labs before anti-CD20 initiation, we propose checking liver function test (LFT), complete blood count with differential (CBC), absolute B-cell count, quantitative immunoglobulins, hepatitis B virus serologies, varicella zoster virus IgG, John Cunningham virus (JCV) status, and age-appropriate vaccination history. For surveillance monitoring in an otherwise asymptomatic individual, we propose biannual LFTs and CBC, quantitative immunoglobulins annually after year 3, absolute B-cell count at month 6 and in the setting of relapse, and JCV only if clinical or radiographic features of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy arise. For ublituximab, pregnancy testing is additionally recommended before each infusion. Implications for Practice We propose evidence-based screening and safety surveillance labs which take into account likelihood of changing management in an otherwise stable or asymptomatic individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Gandelman
- Department of Neurology (SG, CM, JRB), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia; Department of Neurology (SG), New York Medical College, Valhalla; and Department of Pharmacy (KAL), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Kerry A Lenzi
- Department of Neurology (SG, CM, JRB), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia; Department of Neurology (SG), New York Medical College, Valhalla; and Department of Pharmacy (KAL), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Clyde Markowitz
- Department of Neurology (SG, CM, JRB), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia; Department of Neurology (SG), New York Medical College, Valhalla; and Department of Pharmacy (KAL), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Joseph R Berger
- Department of Neurology (SG, CM, JRB), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia; Department of Neurology (SG), New York Medical College, Valhalla; and Department of Pharmacy (KAL), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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