Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
11:39

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

39.7K

Dermatological and gastrointestinal adverse reactions in ocrelizumab treated patients with multiple sclerosis: a case

Lena K Höpner1, Ella Marschall1, Patrick Schindler1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Frontiers in Immunology
|March 25, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ocrelizumab, an anti-CD20 therapy for multiple sclerosis, can cause rare skin and gastrointestinal issues. Awareness of these adverse reactions is crucial for patient management.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Dermatology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Anti-CD20 therapies are standard for multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • Identifying rare adverse reactions to these treatments is vital for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document dermatological and gastrointestinal adverse events in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) treated with ocrelizumab.
  • To assess the incidence and characteristics of these reactions.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pwMS treated with ocrelizumab.
  • Data collected from a single MS outpatient clinic between March 2020 and February 2025.

Main Results:

  • 8 (1.8%) patients experienced dermatological reactions (e.g., psoriasis, lichen planus).
  • 5 (1.1%) patients had gastrointestinal issues (e.g., colitis, Crohn's disease).
  • Ocrelizumab was discontinued in 7/13 affected patients; reactions varied in resolution.

Conclusions:

  • Clinicians must recognize potential skin and GI adverse events linked to ocrelizumab.
  • These reactions can manifest months to years after initiating therapy.
Keywords:
anti-CD20 therapycolitisdermatological adverse reactionsgastrointestinal adverse reactionslichen planusmultiple sclerosisocrelizumabpsoriasis

Related Concept Videos

Allergic Drug Reactions01:27

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing...
1.6K
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
659
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions01:19

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum...
147
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions01:01

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions

Type II hypersensitivity involves IgG and IgM antibodies targeting cell surface antigens, leading to cell destruction. This can occur through complement activation, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), or acting as opsonins for phagocytosis. When excessive, these reactions cause significant tissue damage.Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is a common example, where drugs like penicillin or cephalosporins bind to red blood cells, forming drug-protein complexes. These complexes...
124
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial...
132
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions01:29

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH), or Type IV hypersensitivity, is a cell-mediated immune response. It occurs when T cells, rather than antibodies, mediate a reaction to specific antigens. It is characterized by a delayed onset (1-2 days) and involves the recruitment of macrophages to the inflammation site.The initiation of a DTH response begins with the sensitization of T cells. During this phase, which lasts at least 1-2 weeks, antigen-specific T cells are activated, clonally expanded, and...
179