Maria A Zingaropoli, Marco Iannetta, Simona Pontecorvo, Elena Anzivino, Carla Prezioso, Donatella Maria Rodio, Manuela Morreale, Alessandra D'Abramo, Alessandra Oliva, Miriam Lichtner, Antonio Cortese, Marco Frontoni, Valeria Pietropaolo, Ada Francia, Claudio M Mastroianni, Vincenzo Vullo, Maria R Ciardi
Although natalizumab (anti- α 4 integrin) represents an effective therapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), it is associated with an increased risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), caused by the polyomavirus JC (JCV). The aim of this study was to explore natalizumab-induced phenotypic changes in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes and their relationship with JCV reactivation. Forty-four patients affected by RRMS were enrolled. Blood and urine samples were classified according to natalizumab infusion number: 0 ( N 0), 1-12 ( N 12), 13-24 ( N 24), 25-36 ( N 36), and over 36 ( N > 36) infusions...
2018: BioMed Research International