Alemtuzumab for relapsing multiple sclerosis in clinical practice: A four-year retrospective one-center study

Disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis have been developed tremendously over the last two decades.

The aim of this study was to review the short-, medium-, and long-term safety of alemtuzumab in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

This retrospective observational study (2015-2019) included all patients with highly active or rapidly progressing and aggressive RRMS who were treated with alemtuzumab at the Cabueñes University Hospital. The short-, medium-, and long-term adverse effects were evaluated following the risk management program of the European Medicines Agency.

39 patients were included, 23 of them received at least two cycles of treatment. Most patients showed at least one adverse event. The following adverse reactions were reported: infusional reactions (17), urinary tract infections (six), thrombopenia (five), and thyroid dysfunction (six).

In clinical practice alemtuzumab showed an acceptable safety profile in selected patients even if all of them suffered at least one adverse effect. Thorough and prolonged follow-up is required to further confirm the safety of this drug.