Alemtuzumab in Covid era

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic poses risks to people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS), particularly those on immunosuppressive disease-modifying therapies.
• Alemtuzumab, an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, is a potent immunosuppressant used in MS treatment.

Observation:

• A case of COVID-19 in a 24-year-old woman with MS, 4 months post-alemtuzumab treatment, presented with a benign clinical course.
• Literature review included 17 articles on COVID-19 in MS patients treated with alemtuzumab.

Findings:

• Across all reviewed cases and the presented case, no severe COVID-19 disease progression or fatalities were observed.
• Patients developed antibodies post-infection, indicating an immune response despite immunosuppression.

Implications:

• Clinicians can be reassured about the generally non-severe course of COVID-19 in patients on alemtuzumab.
• Careful monitoring of pwMS on alemtuzumab is crucial, considering potential COVID-19-related relapses.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the risk-benefit profile of alemtuzumab during pandemics.