title: JC polyomavirus (JCV) and monoclonal antibodies: friends or potential foes?
abstract: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), observed in immunodeficient patients and caused by JC virus ((JCV), also called JC polyomavirus (JCPyV)). After the HIV pandemic and the introduction of immunomodulatory therapy, the PML incidence significantly increased. The correlation between the use of natalizumab, a drug used in multiple sclerosis (MS), and the PML development of particular relevance. The high incidence of PML in natalizumab-treated patients has highlighted the importance of two factors: the need of PML risk stratification among natalizumab-treated patients and the need of effective therapeutic options. In this review, we discuss these two needs under the light of the major viral models of PML etiopathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy. diotti.robertaantonia@hsr.it
authors.forename: Roberta Antonia
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Diotti
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Clementi
authors.forename: Nicasio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Criscuolo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Solforosi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clementi
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007577:JC Virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal