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Celli SI, Nash R, Money KM, Garza M, Borko TL, Mizenko C, McMenamin C, Von Geldern G, Georges G, Piquet AL. Successful Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Glycine Receptor Antibody-Positive Stiff Person Syndrome: A Case Report. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2024; 11:e200197. [PMID: 38170953 PMCID: PMC10766081 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To describe a case of glycine receptor (GlyR) antibody-positive stiff person syndrome (SPS) treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT). METHODS This was a multicenter collaboration for the treatment of a single patient who underwent aHSCT as part of a clinical trial (NCT00716066). To objectively assess the response to transplantation, several clinical outcome measures were evaluated pretransplant and up to 18 months post-transplant, including modified Rankin Score (mRS), stiffness index, Hauser Ambulation Score (HAS), hypersensitivity index, timed 25-foot walk, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. RESULTS After transplant, the patient achieved sustained clinical improvement evidenced across various clinical scales, including mRS, stiffness index, HAS, and 25-foot walk time. DISCUSSION aHSCT represents a promising treatment option for SPS, including for GlyR-positive patients. In addition, this case represents the need to validate and standardize best clinical outcome measures for patients with SPS. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE Class IV; this is a single observational study without controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia I Celli
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Richard Nash
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Kelli M Money
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Madeline Garza
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Tyler L Borko
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Christopher Mizenko
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Constance McMenamin
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Gloria Von Geldern
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - George Georges
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Amanda L Piquet
- From the Department of Neurology (S.I.C., K.M.M., M.G., T.L.B., C. Mizenko, C. McMenamin, A.L.P.), University of Colorado, Aurora Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (R.N.), Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO; Department of Neurology (G.V.G.); Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (G.G.), University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and Northwestern University (G.G.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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Vlad B, Wang Y, Newsome SD, Balint B. Stiff Person Spectrum Disorders-An Update and Outlook on Clinical, Pathophysiological and Treatment Perspectives. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2500. [PMID: 37760941 PMCID: PMC10525659 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Stiff person spectrum disorders (SPSD) are paradigm autoimmune movement disorders characterized by stiffness, spasms and hyperekplexia. Though rare, SPSD represent a not-to-miss diagnosis because of the associated disease burden and treatment implications. After decades as an enigmatic orphan disease, major advances in our understanding of the evolving spectrum of diseases have been made along with the identification of multiple associated autoantibodies. However, the most important recent developments relate to the recognition of a wider affection, beyond the classic core motor symptoms, and to further insights into immunomodulatory and symptomatic therapies. In this review, we summarize the recent literature on the clinical and paraclinical spectrum, current pathophysiological understanding, as well as current and possibly future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Vlad
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neurological Infections, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Scott D. Newsome
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neurological Infections, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Bettina Balint
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
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Yi J, Dalakas MC. Long-term Effectiveness of IVIg Maintenance Therapy in 36 Patients With GAD Antibody–Positive Stiff-Person Syndrome. NEUROLOGY - NEUROIMMUNOLOGY NEUROINFLAMMATION 2022; 9:9/5/e200011. [PMID: 35798561 PMCID: PMC9262284 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives IVIg has been the preferred immunotherapy in stiff-person syndrome (SPS) based on a 3-month controlled trial, but whether it is also effective in inducing long-term benefits or arresting disease progression is unknown. The information is needed because SPS is a progressively disabling disease and IVIg is liberally used as chronic therapy without efficacy data. The present study explores the long-term effects of IVIg in the largest cohort of well-characterized patients with SPS followed by the same clinicians over 10 years. Methods Data of 36 patients (32 glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD] positive), diagnosed and treated with monthly maintenance IVIg by the same neurologists, were analyzed. Response was assessed by physician-observed changes, patients' reports of symptom improvement, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, and dependency trials evaluating symptom recurrence after stopping IVIg, prolonging infusion frequency, decreasing monthly dose, or wearing-off effects in between doses. Clinically meaningful long-term response was defined by improved mRS scores, improvement in physician-assessed stiffness, balance and gait, and functional decline with dependency trials. Results Twenty-four of 36 (67%) patients had clinically meaningful response over a median 40-month period. Patients with improved mRS scores by 1–2 points manifested improved gait, posture, balance and decreased stiffness, spasms, and startle response; some patients using a wheelchair and those ambulating with devices walked unassisted. In 25% of responders, treatment benefit was sustained for a 40-month median period, but in 29.1%, it declined over a 39-month period; 12.5% exhibited a conditioning effect. Three of 5 patients with cerebellar GAD-SPS variant also improved over time. The 12 patients who did not respond the first 3 months remained unresponsive even if IVIg continued for several months. Discussion This is a large study in 36 patients with SPS demonstrating that monthly maintenance IVIg therapy offers long-term benefits in 67% of patients for a median 3.3-year period. Because 29.1% experienced diminishing benefit over time due to disease progression, the study highlights the need for more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Yi
- From the Department of Neurology (J.Y., M.C.D.), Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA; and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (M.C.D.)
| | - Marinos C Dalakas
- From the Department of Neurology (J.Y., M.C.D.), Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA; and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (M.C.D.). marinos.dalakas@jefferson
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Dalakas MC. Stiff-person Syndrome and GAD Antibody-spectrum Disorders: GABAergic Neuronal Excitability, Immunopathogenesis and Update on Antibody Therapies. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:832-847. [PMID: 35084720 PMCID: PMC9294130 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01188-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although antibodies against Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) were originally associated with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), they now denote the "GAD antibody-spectrum disorders (GAD-SD)" that include Cerebellar Ataxia, Autoimmune Epilepsy, Limbic Encephalitis, PERM and eye movement disorder. In spite of the unique clinical phenotype that each of these disorders has, there is significant overlapping symptomatology characterized by autoimmune neuronal excitability. In addition to GAD, three other autoantibodies, against glycine receptors, amphiphysin and gephyrin, are less frequently or rarely associated with SPS-SD. Very high serum anti-GAD antibody titers are a key diagnostic feature for all GAD-SD, commonly associated with the presence of GAD antibodies in the CSF, a reduced CSF GABA level and increased anti-GAD-specific IgG intrathecal synthesis denoting stimulation of B-cell clones in the CNS. Because anti-GAD antibodies from the various hyperexcitability syndromes recognize the same dominant GAD epitope, the clinical heterogeneity among GAD-SD patients remains unexplained. The paper highlights the biologic basis of autoimmune hyperexcitability connected with the phenomenon of reciprocal inhibition as the fundamental mechanism of the patients' muscle stiffness and spasms; addresses the importance of high-GAD antibody titers in diagnosis, pinpointing the diagnostic challenges in patients with low-GAD titers or their distinction from functional disorders; and discusses whether high GAD-antibodies are disease markers or pathogenic in the context of their association with reduced GABA level in the brain and CSF. Finally, it focuses on therapies providing details on symptomatic GABA-enhancing drugs and the currently available immunotherapies in a step-by-step approach. The prospects of future immunotherapeutic options with antibody therapies are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinos C Dalakas
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Neuroimmunology Unit National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
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Tsiortou P, Alexopoulos H, Dalakas MC. GAD antibody-spectrum disorders: progress in clinical phenotypes, immunopathogenesis and therapeutic interventions. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2021; 14:17562864211003486. [PMID: 33854562 PMCID: PMC8013924 DOI: 10.1177/17562864211003486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), originally linked to stiff person syndrome (SPS), now denote the "GAD antibody-spectrum disorders" (GAD-SD) that also include autoimmune epilepsy, limbic encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia and nystagmus with overlapping symptomatology highlighting autoimmune neuronal excitability disorders. The reasons for the clinical heterogeneity among GAD-antibody associated syndromes remain still unsettled, implicating variable susceptibility of GABAergic neurons to anti-GAD or other still unidentified autoantibodies. Although anti-GAD antibody titers do not correlate with clinical severity, very high serum titers, often associated with intrathecal synthesis of anti-GAD-specific IgG, point to in-situ effects of GAD or related autoantibodies within the central nervous system. It remains, however, uncertain what drives these antibodies, why they persist and whether they are disease markers or have pathogenic potential. The review, focused on these concerns, describes the widened clinical manifestations and overlapping features of all GAD-SD; addresses the importance of GAD antibody titers and potential significance of GAD epitopes; summarizes the biologic basis of autoimmune hyperexcitability; highlights the electrophysiological basis of reciprocal inhibition in muscle stiffness; and provides practical guidelines on symptomatic therapies with gamma-aminobutyric acid-enhancing drugs or various immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Popianna Tsiortou
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Harry Alexopoulos
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Marinos C Dalakas
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, 900 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Neuroimmunology Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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