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Multiple sclerosis and cancer: when two wrongs make a right?

Ben Deery1, Vicki A Anderson, Mardee Greenham

  • 1Psychology Department, Royal Children's Hospital , Melbourne , Australia.

Developmental Neurorehabilitation
|October 10, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Immunoablation, a potent cancer therapy, led to a surprising six-year remission of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms in a teenage boy. This case highlights the potential of aggressive chemotherapy in treating refractory pediatric MS.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments are not universally effective, leaving some patients with refractory disease.
  • Immunoablation, a high-risk therapy, shows promise in severe adult MS but its potential in pediatric cases is largely unexplored.

Observation:

  • A 14-year-old male (MM) with a new diagnosis of MS also presented with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • MM underwent aggressive chemotherapy, a form of immunoablation, for his lymphoma.

Findings:

  • Following chemotherapy, MM experienced complete remission of his MS symptoms.
  • He has remained free of MS progression and disease activity for over six years.

Implications:

  • This case suggests a potential therapeutic role for immunoablation in refractory pediatric MS.
  • Further investigation is warranted to understand the long-term effects and cognitive/behavioral development in such cases.

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