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Published on: January 3, 2025
Alemtuzumab long-term immunologic effect: Treg suppressor function increases up to 24 months
Stefania De Mercanti1, Simona Rolla1, Angele Cucci1
1Division of Neurology (S.D.M., S.R., A.C., L.D., M.C.) and the Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences (S.D.M., A.C., L.D., M.C.), University of Torino, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano; Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS) (S.R., V.B., F.N.), Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences (V.B., F.N.), Università degli Studi di Torino; Multiple Sclerosis Center (E.C.), Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy; Department of Neurology (A.V., S.S.-B.), Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh Zagreb; Medical Faculty University (A.V., S.S.-B.), J.J. Strossmayer Osijek; Department of Neurology (M.H., I.A.), Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience (D.H.), Charles University in Prague, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Czech Republic; and Multiple Sclerosis Study Center (P.A.), AO S. Antonio Abate, Gallarate (VA), Italy.
Objective:
To analyze changes in T-helper (Th) subsets, T-regulatory (Treg) cell percentages and function, and mRNA levels of immunologically relevant molecules during a 24-month follow-up after alemtuzumab treatment in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Methods:
Multicenter follow-up of 29 alemtuzumab-treated patients with RRMS in the Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (CARE-MS) I and CARE-MS II trials. Peripheral blood (PB) samples were obtained at months 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24. We evaluated (1) mRNA levels of 26 immunologic molecules (cytokines, chemokines, chemokine receptors, and transcriptional factors); (2) Th1, Th17, and Treg cell percentages; and (3) myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific Treg suppressor activity.
Results:
We observed 12 relapses in 9 patients. mRNA levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10, IL-27, and transforming growth factor-β persistently increased whereas those of proinflammatory molecules related to the Th1 or Th17 subsets persistently decreased after alemtuzumab administration throughout the follow-up period. PB CD4+ cell percentage remained significantly lower than baseline while that of Th1 and Th17 cells did not significantly change. A significant increase in Treg cell percentage was observed at month 24 and was accompanied by an increase in Treg cell suppressive activity against MBP-specific Th1 and Th17 cells.
Conclusions:
The long-lasting therapeutic benefit of alemtuzumab in RRMS may involve a shift in the cytokine balance towards inhibition of inflammation associated with a reconstitution of the PB CD4+ T-cell subsets that includes expansion of Treg cells with increased suppressive function.
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