Extensive immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in Fingolimod-associated PML: a case report with 7 Tesla MRI data

doi:10.21203/rs.2.9433/v1

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Case report

Extensive immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in Fingolimod-associated PML: a case report with 7 Tesla MRI data

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.2.9433/v1

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Journal Publication

published 09 Aug, 2019

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Background

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare complication of patients treated with fingolimod.

Case presentation

Routine MRI eventually led to diagnosis of asymptomatic early PML that remained stable after discontinuation of fingolimod. As blood lymphocyte counts normalized, signs of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and renewed MS activity developed. Both, advanced laboratory and ultrahigh field MRI findings elucidated differences between PML and MS.

Conclusions

In our case, early discontinuation of fingolimod yielded a good outcome, lymphocyte counts reflected immune system activity, and paraclinical findings helped to differentiate between PML-IRIS and MS.

Internal Medicine Specialties

progressive multifocal leucencephalopathy

immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome

fingolimod

multiple sclerosis

7 Tesla MRI

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by JC polyomavirus (JCV), and represents a serious adverse complication of effective disease modifying multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies. In addition to natalizumab, PML has been reported during treatment with Fingolimod.(1) MRI imaging is crucial to PML diagnosis, but the differentiation between PML, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), and renewed MS activity often proves to be very difficult.(2)

We here report PML occurrence under sustained fingolimod-associated lymphopenia with development of IRIS after normalization of lymphocytes. Clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings including ultrahigh field MRI at 7 Tesla (7T) are demonstrated to elucidate differentiating features between MS activity, early PML, and IRIS. The patient gave her consent on this publication.

A 41-year old woman was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in December 2013. Initial treatment with interferon beta-1b (Extavia®, Betaferon®) was switched to fingolimod in February 2014 due to persistent disease activity. Anti-JCV-serum-antibodies were positive (Unilabs Copenhagen, Denmark). In November 2016 subclinical MRI activity occurred. At this time, the JCV antibody index value was 2.23. Fingolimod was continued, and the absolute lymphocyte count varied between 170/µl and 310/µl.

One year later, a routine 3T MRI (14-11-2017) revealed a spotty C-band-shaped hyperintense left-parietal FLAIR lesion with patchy Gadolinium-enhancement, and a microcystic appearance on T2 weighted (T2w) images (figure 1 and figure 2). Few punctate "milky way"-like Gadolinium-enhancing lesions were present (figure 1). Clinically, a slight worsening of the pre-existing gait imbalance and ataxia as well as increased irritability and aggressiveness was noted. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score increased from 4.5 to 5.5.

PML was suspected on the background of atypical lesions on MRI, and subsequently confirmed by detection JCV-DNA in CSF (39 copies/ml, Institute of Virology, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf; serum JCV antibody index value: 5.23).

Laboratory findings revealed sustained grade 3 lymphopenia (310/µl, CD4+ count 27/µl, CD8+ count 71/µl). Flow cytometry of peripheral blood confirmed a reduction of lymphocytes with reduced proportions of NK cells and increased proportions of B cells (CD56+ count 56/µl), as compared to Fingolimod-treated control MS patients (figure 3A-B). However, the CD4/CD8 ratio and the naïve/memory distribution of T cells was comparable to Fingolimod-treated control MS patients (figure 3C-D).(3) The PML biomarker CD62L (L-selectin) was strongly reduced compared to healthy controls and in the lower range of fingolimod-treated MS patients (figure 3E).(4) LFA-1 expression on CD4 T cells was strongly elevated indicating recent cellular activation (figure 3F).(5)

Fingolimod was immediately suspended and mirtazapine was started. Repeated 3T control MRIs revealed an increasing number of "milky way"-like punctate Gadolinium-enhancing lesions (figure 1) in both hemispheres. Concurrently the immune system reconstituted within one month as blood lymphocyte counts normalized (13-12-2018: 1260/µl). Two weeks later, 3T MRI (27-12-2017) showed substantially more Gadolinium-enhancing punctate lesions (figure 1). At this time, JCV-PCR was negative in CSF suggesting IRIS rather than progression of PML, therefore an intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy was administered (figure 1).

The next MRI (10-01-2018) showed slightly less lesions and Gadolinium-enhancement. Clinically, the EDSS score improved to 4.5 (improved gait balance and ataxia).

Ultrahigh field MRI at 7T was done and visualized the initial C-shaped PML lesion in great anatomical detail (figure 2 E-L). In addition, T2*w and SWI hypointense areas were visible within the surrounding cortex and neighboring white matter fiber tracts (figure 2 E-H).

Moreover, numerous punctate contrast enhancing milky way-like lesions were detectable on 7T T1w and T2*w images. Several of these did not present with a central vessel, while a very small vessel was faintly visible in a small proportion of punctate lesions. In contrast, a relatively large central vein was observed within MS-like lesions (figure 2 I-L).

Follow-up MRIs in March and May 2018 showed new nodular- and ring-like contrast enhancing white matter lesions typical of MS plaques (figure 1). Presuming MS activity, immunomodulation with glatirameracetate was started. The initial left parietal PML lesion did not enlarge at all (figure 2D).

We here report a case of early fingolimod-associated PML in a patient with MS. The diagnosis was suspected on the background of typical signs of PML in routine MRI and confirmed by positive JCV-DNA-PCR in CSF. After discontinuation of fingolimod, the initial small PML lesion was stable over time and did not enlarge centrifugally into large flame-like PML lesions, which are characteristic for natalizumab-associated PML. Nevertheless, as blood lymphocyte counts normalized and JCV DNA was no longer detectable in CSF, signs of IRIS and renewed MS activity developed. The time interval between PML onset and return of MS disease activity appeared relatively short in comparison to natalizumab-associated PML. Moreover, 7T MRI revealed distinct imaging patterns and thus helped to differentiate between PML, IRIS and renewed MS activity.

In detail, paramagnetic susceptibility changes adjacent to the PML lesion were observed. Their origin is largely unknown, but loss of diamagnetic myelin or iron release by dying oligodendrocytes as an very early sign of JCV infiltration have been discussed.

In addition, we observed numerous “milky way”-like lesions. It has been suggested that these alterations may serve as an early imaging marker for PML.(6) 7T MRI may add to this finding since a distinct central vein seems to be less frequently detectable within "milky way"-like lesions(7) versus (even small) MS lesions.(8)

The origin of “milky way”-like lesions is unknown. One hypothesis is that they highlight an overwhelming immune response, presumably within perivascular spaces. Other authors have described punctate or milky way–like lesions as areas of active JC virus replication in early PML.(7) Our own observations support both hypotheses as milky-way-like lesions were present from the start (favors the latter), and more milky-way-like lesions developed after normalization of lymphocytes (favors the former).

Similar to the other recently reported cases,(1) our patient presented with lymphopenia (grade 4, in our case) indicating that it may have played a critical role in PML-IRIS development, as suggested from findings on dimethyl fumarate (DMF), where prolonged lymphopenia accounts for most PML cases.(9) However, in contrast to prior hypotheses regarding reduced CD8 cell counts as a potential cause for DMF-PML,(10) our case presented with an unaltered CD4/CD8 ratio (in line with the other Fingolimod-PML cases(1)), but reduced NK cell numbers.

In summary, in this case PML lesion enlargement stopped after discontinuation of fingolimod in parallel to normalization of lymphocyte counts, and development of signs of IRIS. Our imaging findings support the idea of using ultrahigh field MRI including highly resolving T2*w and SWI to support the diagnosis of PML, and to differentiate from MS activity and IRIS.

Ethics approval and consent to participate:

The study was conducted according to the principles expressed in the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local university (Duisburg-Essen) institutional review board.

Consent for publication:

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this Case Report and any accompanying images and videos. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor of this journal.

Availability of data and materials:

The datasets analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due protection of privacy of the patient.

Funding:

There was no funding.

Competing interests:

Tim Sinnecker has received travel support from Roche and Actelion, and is employee of the Medical Image Analysis Center in Basel, Switzerland.

Jeffrie Hadisurya has received travel funding from Novartis, Teva, Bayer and Biogen.

Tilman Schneider-Hohendorf has received research and travel support from Biogen and Novartis.

Nicholas Schwab has received travel funding from Novartis, and Biogen.

Karsten Wrede reports no disclosures.

Oliver Gembruch reports no disclosures.

Ralf Gold received speaker’s and board honoraria from Baxter, Bayer Schering, Biogen Idec, CLB Behring, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche, Stendhal, Talecris, TEVA. His department received grant support from Bayer Schering, BiogenIdec, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, TEVA. He possesses stock options from Merck Serono and Roche.

Kerstin Hellwig reports grants and honoriaria from Biogen, Novartis, Roche, Bayer Healthcare, Teva, Sanofi and Merck.

Sara Pilgram-Pastor reports no disclosures.

Ortwin Adams reports no disclosures.

Philipp Albrecht reports grants, personal fees and non-financial support from Allergan, Biogen, Ipsen, Merz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, and Roche, personal fees and non-financial support from Bayer Healthcare, and Merck, and non-financial support from Sanofi-Aventis/Genzym

Hans-Peter Hartung has received fees for serving on steering commitees from Biogen Idec, GeNeuro, Sanofi Genzyme, Merck, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Octapharma, Opexa Therapeutics, Teva Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, Bayer HealthCare, Forward Pharma, and Roche, fees for serving on advisory boards from Biogen Idec, Sanofi Genzyme, Merck, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Octapharma, Opexa Therapeutics, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Roche, and lecture fees from Biogen Idec, Sanofi Genzyme, Merck, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Octapharma, Opexa Therapeutics, Teva Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, and Roche.

Orhan Aktas has received, with approval by the Heinrich Heine University, advisor fees or honoraria from Almirall, Bayer HealthCare, Biogen, MedImmune, Merck, Novartis, and Teva; research support from Bayer HealthCare, Biogen, Novartis, Roche, and Teva

Markus Krämer has received, by approval by his hospital, honoria from Bayer Schering, Biogen Idec, Merck Pharma Novartis Pharma, Teva Pharma, Roche Pharma und Shire Deutschland.

Author´ contributions:

TS performed data acquisition and analysis and drafted the manuscript.

JH performed data acquisition and analysis and drafted the manuscript.

TSH performed data acquisition and analysis and drafted the manuscript.

NS performed data acquisition and analysis and revised the manuscript.

KW performed data acquisition and analysis and revised the manuscript.

OG performed data acquisition and analysis and revised the manuscript.

RG revised the manuscript for intellectual content and helped with the interpretation of the data.

KH revised the manuscript for intellectual content and helped with the interpretation of the data.

SPP performed data acquisition and analysis and revised the manuscript.

OAd performed data acquisition and analysis and revised the manuscript.

PA revised the manuscript for intellectual content and helped with the interpretation of the data.

HPH revised the manuscript for intellectual content and helped with the interpretation of the data.

OAk revised the manuscript for intellectual content and helped with the interpretation of the data.

MK conceived the study, performed data acquisition and analysis and drafted the manuscript.

All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Acknowledgments:

Not applicable

Authors´ information:

Not applicable.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

JC polyomavirus (JCV)

multiple sclerosis (MS)

immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)

cerebral sinal fluid (CSF)

Tesla (T)

dimethyl fumarate (DMF)

natural killer cells (NK cells)

susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI)

T2*-weighted imaging (T2*w)

Cluster of differentition 8 cells (CD8 cells)

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8. Sinnecker T, Dorr J, Pfueller CF, Harms L, Ruprecht K, Jarius S, et al. Distinct lesion morphology at 7-T MRI differentiates neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2012;79(7):708-14.

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