Lymphocyte count in peripheral blood is not associated with the level of clinical response to treatment with fingolimod.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Fingolimod is an efficient and safe drug for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In vivo, fingolimod is phosphorylated and binds to "sphingosine-1-phosphate"(S1P) receptors that are expressed in a wide range of cells, including lymphocytes. Under the effect of fingolimod, lymphocytes are retained in lymphoid tissues through the regulation of S1P1 receptors. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the degree of lymphopenia was correlated to the positive treatment response of RRMS patients with fingolimod.

METHODS:

Data was sourced from the MSBase Registry. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the lymphocyte count on peripheral blood examination. Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR), time to first relapse and time to six-month confirmed disability progression were compared between groups.

RESULTS:

Group one consisted of 202 patients who reached 750 lymphocytes/mm3 during treatment while the comparison group two included 101 patients who never reached less than 1000 lymphocytes/mm3 in peripheral blood during the observation period. There were no differences between groups in ARR, time to first relapse or time to six-month confirmed disability progression.

CONCLUSION:

The degree of lymphopenia in peripheral blood was not associated to the positive treatment response of fingolimod in RRMS patients.

• Authors: Yara Dadalti Fragoso, Tim Spelman, Cavit Boz, Raed Alroughani, Alessandra Lugaresi, Steve Vucic, Helmut Butzkueven, Murat Terzi, Eva Havrdova, Dana Horakova, Franco Granella, Javier Olascoaga, José Luis Sánchez-Menoyo, Eugenio Pucci, Michael Barnett, Joseph Bruno B Brooks, Jodi Haartsen, Lymphopenia and Efficacy of Fingolimod MSBase sub-study Investigators
• Journal: Multiple sclerosis and related disorders (Mult Scler Relat Disord) Vol. 19 Pg. 105-108 (Jan 2018) ISSN: 2211-0356 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 29182993 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Fingolimod Hydrochloride

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Fingolimod Hydrochloride (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Lymphocyte Count
• Lymphocytes (drug effects)
• Lymphopenia (chemically induced)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting (blood, drug therapy)
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Registries