Immediate transient thrombocytopenia at the time of alemtuzumab infusion in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background:

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Although Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) has been reported as a secondary autoimmune phenomenon following alemtuzumab infusion, immediate thrombocytopenia during the infusion has not been reported.

Objective:

We report transient, reversible, self-limiting acute-onset thrombocytopenia during the first course with alemtuzumab.

Results and conclusion:

In total, 3 of 22 paitents developed mild self-limited bruising associated with a drop in platelet count from their baseline during the intial 5-day course of alemtuzumab. Upon chart review, all 22 patients who received alemtuzumab developed an immediate mostly asymptomatic drop in platelet count which returned to normal within 2 months post-infusion.

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis thrombocytopenia alemtuzumab

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