Immunological Hallmarks of JC Virus Replication in Multiple Sclerosis Patients on Long-Term Natalizumab Therapy

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is the main adverse effect of natalizumab. Detectable JC virus-specific effector memory T-cell (TEM) responses may indicate ongoing JCV replication. We detected JCV-specific TEM responses in blood of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with natalizumab, including 2 patients with PML. The frequency of detection of these responses increased with the time on natalizumab. Thus, a subset of MS patients exhibit immunological hallmarks of JCV replication during prolonged natalizumab therapy.