Treatment of a patient with myasthenia  gravis using antibodies against CD25.
OBJECTIVE
To measure clinical and immunological parameters in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) treated with antibodies against CD25 (basiliximab, Simulect). Patient and methods - Injections of basiliximab were given repeatedly together with cyclosporin A and corticosteroids for 9 months to a patient with severe MG. Her muscle function score was monitored and the immunological parameters were followed using ELISA, flow cytometry and radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
The patient improved moderately and corticosteroid treatment could be withdrawn. The percentage of activated CD4+ T cells decreased during treatment, while that of 'naïve' T cells increased. The serum levels of sCD28, sCD152, sCD80, sCD86 and IL-10 decreased. The treatment was stopped due to repeated infections.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with basiliximab appears to be suitable only for severely ill patients who do not respond to conventional treatments. However, careful monitoring of side effects is necessary.
Kakoulidou
M
M
Immunological Research Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, KarolinskaInstitutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Pirskanen-Matell
R
R
Lefvert
A K
AK
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000097:blood; D000077552:Basiliximab; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000187:drug effects; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000077552:Basiliximab; D011241:Prednisone