Progress in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for CIDP

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Evaluation of the Visual Evoked Potentials: A Review of the Literature

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterised by the progressive demyelination of peripheral nerves, resulting in motor and sensory deficits. While much research has focused on clinical and electrophysiological aspects of CIDP, there is an emerging interest in exploring its impact on the visual system through visual evoked potentials (VEPs). This comprehensive review synthesises existing literature on VEP findings in CIDP patients, shedding light on their potential diagnostic and prognostic value. The review thoroughly examines studies spanning the last two decades, exploring VEP abnormalities in CIDP patients. Notably, VEP studies have consistently revealed prolonged latencies and reduced amplitudes in CIDP patients compared to healthy controls. These alterations in VEP parameters suggest that the demyelinating process extends beyond the peripheral nervous system to affect the central nervous system, particularly the optic nerve and its connections. The correlation between VEP abnormalities and clinical manifestations of CIDP, such as visual impairment and sensory deficits, underscores the clinical relevance of VEP assessment in CIDP management. Furthermore, this review addresses the potential utility of VEPs in aiding CIDP diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. VEP abnormalities may serve as valuable biomarkers for disease activity, helping clinicians make timely therapeutic decisions. Moreover, this review discusses the limitations and challenges associated with VEP assessment in CIDP, including variability in recording techniques and the need for standardised protocols. In conclusion, this review highlights the evolving role of VEPs as a non-invasive tool in CIDP evaluation. The consistent VEP abnormalities observed in CIDP patients suggest the involvement of the central nervous system in this demyelinating disorder. As our understanding of CIDP and its pathophysiology continues to evolve, further research in this area may lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and monitoring strategies, ultimately enhancing the clinical management of CIDP patients.

In persons with CIDP, auto-HSCT can be conducted fully on an outpatient basis and induces significant clinical responses: A prospective study in a single center

BACKGROUND

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is one of the world's most common treatable neuropathy which usually responds to immunosuppressive treatment. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is an intense way of inducing immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVE

We analyze the evolution of CIDP patients treated with aHSCT in our center.

METHODS

Between 2018 and 2023, persons with CIDP were prospectively autografted employing the "Mexican method" to conduct grafts on an outpatient basis, employing cyclophosphamide 200 mg/Kg and rituximab 1000 mg. The protocol is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02674217.

RESULTS

In our center 21 autologous transplant cases were completed in 2018-2023. Seven patients provided data to assess the efficacy of the procedure. Positive responses (stabilization and/or improvement) were observed in all seven patients: Five reported improvements in the Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) score and one reported stabilization. In the Inflammatory Rasch-Built Overall Disability Scale (I-RODS) score. Median INCAT score was 5 (range 1-9), whereas median I-RODS score was 24 (range 11-29). Five patients (71%) reported improvement in the INCAT score, one reported stabilization and one informed worsening; concerning the I-RODS score 5 (71%) informed improvement, whereas two reported stabilization.

CONCLUSION

aHSCT conducted fully in an outpatient basis, employing the conditioning regimen of the "Mexican method" appears to be a feasible therapeutic option for persons with CIDP. Additional studies are needed to confirm these observations.

Pharmacotherapy of Generalized Myasthenia Gravis with Special Emphasis on Newer Biologicals

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic, fluctuating, antibody-mediated autoimmune disorder directed against the post-synaptic neuromuscular junctions of skeletal muscles, resulting in a wide spectrum of manifestations ranging from mild to potentially fatal. Given its unique natural course, designing an ideal trial design for MG has been wrought with difficulties and evidence in favour of several of the conventional agents is weak as per current standards. Despite this, acetylcholinesterases and corticosteroids have remained the cornerstones of treatment for several decades with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) and therapeutic plasma exchange (PLEX) offering rapid treatment response, especially in crises. However, the treatment of MG entails long-term immunosuppression and conventional agents are viable options but take longer to act and have a number of class-specific adverse effects. Advances in immunology, translational medicine and drug development have seen the emergence of several newer biological agents which offer selective, target-specific immunotherapy with fewer side effects and rapid onset of action. Eculizumab is one of the newer agents that belong to the class of complement inhibitors and has been approved for the treatment of refractory general MG. Zilucoplan and ravulizumab are other agents in this group in clinical trials. Neisseria meningitis is a concern with all complement inhibitors, mandating vaccination. Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) inhibitors prevent immunoglobulin recycling and cause rapid reduction in antibody levels. Efgartigimod is an FcRn inhibitor recently approved for MG treatment, and rozanolixizumab, nipocalimab and batoclimab are other agents in clinical trial development. Although lacking high quality evidence from randomized clinical trials, clinical experience with the use of anti-CD20 rituximab has led to its use in refractory MG. Among novel targets, interleukin 6 (IL6) inhibitors such as satralizumab are promising and currently undergoing evaluation. Cutting-edge therapies include genetically modifying T cells to recognise chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and chimeric autoantibody receptors (CAAR). These may offer sustained and long-term remissions, but are still in very early stages of evaluation. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) allows immune resetting and offers sustained remission, but the induction regimens often involve serious systemic toxicity. While MG treatment is moving beyond conventional agents towards target-specific biologicals, lack of knowledge as to the initiation, maintenance, switching, tapering and long-term safety profile necessitates further research. These concerns and the high financial burden of novel agents may hamper widespread clinical use in the near future.