DX63
Effects of DMTs on Lymphocytes and Infections

Thursday, May 25, 2017
B2 (New Orleans Convention Center)
Salvatore Q Napoli, MD , Neurology Center of New England P.C., Foxboro, MA
Sarah B Cardoso, Research Coordinator , Neurology Center of New England P.C., Foxboro, MA
Salvatore Q Napoli, MD , Neurology Center of New England P.C., Foxboro, MA
Sarah B Cardoso, Research Coordinator , Neurology Center of New England P.C., Foxboro, MA



Background: Oral therapies such as dimethyl fumarate (DMF) decrease lymphocyte count levels; in post marketing settings decreased lymphocytes associated with oral therapy treatments may be associated with increased infections, serious infections and opportunistic infections. Therefore, a better understanding of the role of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) on lymphocyte physiology and its functional outcomes in the clinical practice setting is needed.

Objectives:  Determine frequency of infection in patients diagnosed with RRMS being treated with DMTs.

Methods:  This is a single center, retrospective, analysis to determine the frequency of infections in people with RRMS who were treated with INFβ-1à SC TIW and dimethyl fumarate. A chart review of adverse events, and specifically infections, serious infections and opportunistic infections were analyzed for patients according to age 18-30, 31-40, 41-50, over 50. 

Results:  In this single center study, there were 4 infections in 45 patients who received interferon therapy. Breakdown by age: 18-30 2 patients 0 infections, 31-40 6 patients 2 infections, 41-50 12 patients 1 infection, over 50, 25 patients 1 infection. In 50 patients who received DMF, 40 infections were identified. Breakdown by age group 18-30 2 patients 3 infections, 31-40 2 patients 1infection, 41-50 9 patients 9 infections, over 50 37 patients 40 infections. No opportunistic infections were identified in patients treated with either therapy.

Conclusions:  Increased frequency of infections are seen in patients who receive DMF compared to interferon therapies especially in the aging population of RRMS patients.