title: The effect of dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera™) on lymphocyte counts: A potential contributor to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy risk.
abstract: Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera™) is an effective therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Our study suggests that this drug may have immunosuppressive properties evidenced by significant sustained reduction in CD8 lymphocyte counts and, to a lesser extent, CD4 lymphocyte counts. This observation is relevant in light of the recent case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient receiving this drug.
authors.affiliation: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Center for Neurological Disorders, 3237 South 16th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215, United States. Electronic address: bokhatri@aol.com.
authors.forename: Bhupendra O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Khatri
authors.affiliation: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, St. Joseph's Hospital, Department of Neonatology, 5000 West Chambers, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United States. Electronic address: jsgarland@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurology, 295 John Morgan Building, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6055, United States. Electronic address: joseph.berger@uky.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Center for Neurological Disorders, 3237 South 16th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215, United States. Electronic address: john.kramer@cndmilwaukee.com.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Center for Neurological Disorders, 3237 South 16th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215, United States. Electronic address: lisa.sershon@cndmilwaukee.com.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sershon
authors.affiliation: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Center for Neurological Disorders, 3237 South 16th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215, United States. Electronic address: Tayo.Olapo@wfhc.org.
authors.forename: Tayo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olapo
authors.affiliation: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Center for Neurological Disorders, 3237 South 16th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215, United States. Electronic address: Jean.sesing@wfhc.org.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sesing
authors.affiliation: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Center for Neurological Disorders, 3237 South 16th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215, United States. Electronic address: Mary.Dukic@wfhc.org.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dukic
authors.affiliation: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Center for Neurological Disorders, 3237 South 16th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215, United States. Electronic address: Eileen.Rehn@wfhc.org.
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rehn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D000069462:Dimethyl Fumarate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069462:Dimethyl Fumarate
keywords: Lymphocyte counts; PML; RRMS