Abstract
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, opportunistic infection of the central nervous system, caused by reactivation of the ubiquitous JC virus. PML is a devastating disease that is frequently fatal, and although survival rates have improved, patients who survive PML often experience considerable neurological deficits. PML was associated with a variety of immunosuppressive therapies in the past decade, but attribution of causality is difficult owing to the presence of confounding factors and to an inadequate understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of this disease. This uncertainty has hindered efforts for shared decision-making between physicians and their patients and, in some cases, discouraged the use of potentially beneficial therapies. We propose a categorization of immunosuppressive agents according to their risk of PML to support a better-informed decision-making process when evaluating the risks and benefits of these therapies.
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All authors contributed equally to researching data for the article, discussions of the content, writing the article and editing the manuscript before submission.
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L.H.C. has served as consultant to Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer in the area of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). E.M. has obtained research support from Roche, has served on advisory boards for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer and MSD, and received payment for developing educational materials relating to PML from GlaxoSmithKline. J.B. serves on the PML Adjudication Committees of Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai, Janssen, Millennium, Parexel, Pfizer, Roche and Takeda; he is a consultant to Genentech, Genzyme, Incyte, Inhibikase Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson and Novartis. He has received grants from the PML Consortium, Biogen Idec and Novartis.
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Calabrese, L., Molloy, E. & Berger, J. Sorting out the risks in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Nat Rev Rheumatol 11, 119–123 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2014.167
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2014.167
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