Life-threatening autoimmune warm hemolytic anemia following treatment for multiple sclerosis with alemtuzumab

Mult Scler. 2018 May;24(6):811-813. doi: 10.1177/1352458517729766. Epub 2018 Jan 23.

Abstract

Background: Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at CD52 approved as a disease-modifying therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: To describe a case of a life-threatening autoimmune anemia occurring after a first course of alemtuzumab for relapsing-remitting MS in a 28-year-old male.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 28-year-old male developed a life-threatening autoimmune anemia occurring 11 months after first alemtuzumab course.

Conclusion: We report the third case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia following treatment with alemtuzumab in a young MS patient. Due to the severity of this adverse event, neurologists using this treatment should be alert.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; alemtuzumab; hemolytic anemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alemtuzumab / adverse effects*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Alemtuzumab