Humoral immune response to influenza vaccine in natalizumab-treated MS patients.
OBJECTIVE
Natalizumab is a drug with documented efficacy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The mechanism of action of natalizumab has immunosuppressive properties and it is not yet investigated if treatment with natalizumab affects the immunological response  to vaccination. This study aims to investigate the humoral immune response to influenza vaccine while undergoing treatment with natalizumab.


METHODS
A cohort of 17 RRMS patients treated with natalizumab and 10 healthy controls received trivalent influenza A/B vaccine. Influenza-specific  immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were determined at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Both groups experienced a significant increase in anti-influenza B IgG after the vaccination. Both groups also experienced a smaller increase in anti-influenza A IgG, but this was only  significant for the natalizumab group. The IgG titers compared between the groups did not differ significantly at any of the time points.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that vaccination against influenza in patients treated with natalizumab yields a humoral immune response comparable  to that achieved in healthy individuals.
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Neuroscience, Umeå University, Sweden. mattias.vagberg@gmail.com
Mattias
M
Vågberg
Urban
U
Kumlin
Anders
A
Svenningsson
D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D000069442:Natalizumab; D055815:Young Adult
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D000069442:Natalizumab