Pembrolizumab was associated with decreases in JC viral load in a small case series.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by JC virus and is associated with cancers and immunosuppressive therapies. PML has no proven treatments aside from supportive care and immune restoration. Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that antagonizes programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). PD-1 is localized on lymphocytes; therefore, pembrolizumab preserves and activates CD4+ and CD8+ cells.
Researchers now describe findings in eight patients with PML treated in open-label fashion with pembrolizumab (2 mg/kg) every 4 to 6 weeks, for a maximum of three doses. The underlying comorbidity was HIV in two patients, leukemia in two, lymphoma in two, and idiopathic lymphopenia in two patients. Clinically, five of the eig…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)