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Abstract

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are at risk of renewed disease activity after discontinuing natalizumab (NAT) treatment.

Objective:

Assessing the implication of T helper 17 (Th17) cells in MS reactivation after NAT cessation.

Methods:

We monitored frequencies of Th17 cells and interleukin (IL)-17 cytokine levels in blood samples of 57 MS patients, without, during, and after NAT exposure.

Results:

Frequencies of both Th17 cells and, in part, also IL-17 levels, in peripheral blood increased under prolonged NAT therapy, returned to baseline after NAT withdrawal and became almost undetectable in blood samples of individuals who experienced relapses during the wash-out phase.

Conclusion:

Assessing the Th17-cell/IL-17 axis might help to predict rebound MS activity after NAT withdrawal.

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis natalizumab wash-out phase rebound effect Th17 effector T cells

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Th17 cells: A prognostic marker for MS rebound after natalizumab cessation?