The incidence of uveitis in this cohort (n=188) using fingolimod for MS was 0. The incidence of uveitis in MS patients is variable yet none in our cohort had a typical uveitis occurrence despite a mean observation period greater than 5 years.6,7,8,9,12,13,14,15,16 Lim et al pooled data on the incidence of uveitis from the MS fingolimod studies.12 The mean observation period was 627 days and included a range of fingolimod doses compared with placebo and interferon beta-1a. The authors reported a first time uveitis occurrence in 0.09% of patients on fingolimod (dose range 0.5mg to 5mg), 0.45% in the placebo group, and 0.23% in the interferon group. Of the 139 with a uveitis history, 5 (3.6%) had recurrence while on fingolimod. One in 8 (12.5%) patients on placebo had recurrence while 4 of 15 (26.67%) taking interferon had recurrent uveitis. Though the MS fingolimod studies were not designed to evaluate the effect of fingolimod on the prevention of uveitis or a reduction in uveitis recurrence, the data suggest those taking placebo had 5 times the rate of first time uveitis occurrence compared with those on fingolimod. Those taking interferon had just over double the rate. Further, the rate of recurrent uveitis in those taking a placebo was just over 3 times those on fingolimod, while recurrence in those taking interferon was just over 2 times those on fingolimod. In the last 8 years since we began screening patients on fingolimod we noted an anecdotally low incidence of concomitant uveitis despite the diagnosis of MS. We cannot comment on the rate of recurrence since none of our cohort had a prior history of uveitis. However, this retrospective review confirms a low initial occurrence of uveitis in patients taking fingolimod for MS. Varying doses of fingolimod and interferon beta-1a were included in the data compiled by Lim et al.12 Our current study is unique in that it includes only the FDA-approved 0.5 mg dose of fingolimod. In addition, the cohort is a relatively homogenous group without history of uveitis who were observed for a significantly longer period (mean >5 years).
Fingolimod limits lymphocytic migration through the blood-brain barrier by targeting sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors on lymphocytes.1,2,17 It is therefore not unreasonable to hypothesize that there is a limitation of lymphocytic migration through the blood-retinal barrier as well when patients are exposed to fingolimod. There is precedence for fingolimod’s ophthalmic anti-inflammatory effect in experimental autoimmune uveitis. Murine studies have confirmed active disease suppression, maintenance of disease remission, and increased vascular barrier integrity when subjects are exposed to fingolimod.18,19 We hypothesize fingolimod’s anti-inflammatory effect could partly explain the lack of uveitis in our cohort that would typically be associated with MS.
One patient developed AMN. There is no consensus on a unifying mechanism of AMN though it is most strongly associated with flu-like illnesses, influenza vaccination, and OCP’s. 20,21,22,23,24,25 The patient in our cohort had other risk factors for AMN including lisdexamfetamine and migraine headaches. Lisdexamfetamine acts by facilitating the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, known vasoconstrictors. Therefore, her AMN was likely due to relative ischemia from vasoconstriction rather than a manifestation of inflammation within the retinal vasculature. The latter seems unlikely since she nor any other patient in our cohort developed typical clinical findings consistent with uveitis. There is no known direct link between AMN and MS alone, although it has been associated with acute demyelinating optic neuritis.26,27 In a prospective study of 114 patients with acute optic neuritis, Deschamps et al found 6 developed AMN.27 Therefore it remains that the development of AMN in our patient is likely coincidental since she had no history of optic neuritis.
The average time to the development of uveitis after an MS diagnosis ranges from 3.6 to 9 years.6,7,8,9 We did not include time since the onset of MS diagnosis since this information was not available on every patient. Yet the mean follow up on fingolimod was 60.9 months and was likely adequate considering the average onset of uveitis after MS. Further, the length of time of MS was at least the same or greater than the fingolimod exposure (mean = 60.9 months) since MS was the indication for fingolimod use in all patients.
FAME occurred in 3 of the 188 (1.6%) patients in the present study. This rate is much higher than the previously documented 0.2% incidence. 3,4,28 FAME develops within 3 months from initiation of fingolimod therapy in 68% of cases. 3,4 The incidence of FAME in those with a history of uveitis was 19% compared with 1% in the FREEDOMS and TRANSFORMS trials in patients taking the 1.25mg dose of fingolimod. 29 This data suggests a link between uveitis and FAME.2,4 The decreased dose (0.5 mg) of fingolimod now FDA-approved for the treatment of MS may not have such a high association of uveitis and FAME. Even so, our patients with FAME had no such history of uveitis despite an increased incidence of FAME in this cohort. All responded to steroid therapy without discontinuation of the drug.
The strengths of this study include a uniquely long follow up period with a mean of over 5 years, the generalizability of the findings due to exposure to the only FDA-approved dose of fingolimod for adults, and the consistency of examination by ophthalmologists with experience in the evaluation and treatment of anterior, intermediate, and posterior uveitis. No patients were excluded from taking fingolimod. However, as a retrospective review it is possible the referring pattern of the treating neurologists may have introduced some selection bias. This did not occur to our knowledge since the determination of ocular contraindication to fingolimod treatment was the responsibility of the examining ophthalmologist.