Mycophenolate mofetil for the long-term treatment of HTLV-1 associated myelopathy: A case report

Authors

Marta Sanz, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Sofia Chernet, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
John Shymansky, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Alexandra Mandel, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Alisha Chitrakar, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Henry J. Kaminski, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Pritha Ghosh, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA. Electronic address: pghosh@gwu.edu.
Natalia Soriano-Sarabia, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

3-15-2024

Journal

Journal of neuroimmunology

Volume

388

DOI

10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578294

Keywords

HAM/TSP; HTLV-1 associated myelopathy; Mycophenolate mofetil; Steroid-sparing therapy; Tropical spastic paraparesis

Abstract

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can cause HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Current treatment options for HAM/TSP are limited. We present a woman with rapidly-progressive HAM/TSP with significant, sustained clinical improvement following initiation of mycophenolate mofetil (MMA). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the patient, her asymptomatic carrier husband and eight healthy controls were isolated. Frequencies of T-cell populations upon exposure to low and high MMA concentrations and differences in proliferation were analyzed using flow cytometry and a CSFE-proliferation assay. Characterization of T-cell function and proliferation showed higher levels of GranzymeB in HTLV-1+ donors. The improvement and stability of symptoms in this patient with HAM/TSP following MMA initiation requires further study as a potential treatment for HAM/TSP.

APA Citation

Sanz, Marta; Chernet, Sofia; Shymansky, John; Mandel, Alexandra; Chitrakar, Alisha; Kaminski, Henry J.; Ghosh, Pritha; and Soriano-Sarabia, Natalia, "Mycophenolate mofetil for the long-term treatment of HTLV-1 associated myelopathy: A case report" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 4522.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/4522

Department

Neurology