[S-35] Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in the era of disease-modifying therapies

[S-35-1] Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in the era of disease-modifying therapies

David B. Clifford (Washington University in St Louis, USA)

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare and severe demyelinating disease of the white matter in the central nervous system caused by JC virus. Multiple sclerosis (MS) treating with disease-modifying therapies (DMT) is newly coming underlying disease of PML. In MS, DMT have recently been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of clinical relapse. Although freedom from disease activity has become the primary aim of the treatment of MS, these DMT increase the risk of PML.
In this symposium, latest information of DMT induced PML, characteristics of MRI in DMT induced PML, development of JC virus DNA detection in the cerebrospinal fluid, and newly aspects of PML will be presented.

David B Clifford, MD, Melba and Forest Seay Professor of Neuropharmacology in Neurology, Department of Neurology and Medicine, Washington University in St Louis (USA)
Dr Clifford’s career has focused on improving therapeutics for neurological disorders. With the HIV epidemic, he turned his attention to HIV and its complications, working in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group, an NIH funded international group developed to address the AIDS epidemic. In 1993, he developed the Neurologic AIDS Research Consortium, an NIH funded national research group designed to develop improved therapy for neuroAIDS complications. He is also the Principal Investigator for the Washington University NeuroNEXT trial unit, one of 25 centers funded by NIH (NINDS) and designed to accelerate Phase 2 clinical trials for neurological disorders. Recently, he has turned attention to therapeutic trials for Alzheimer disease, serving as Medical Director for the Dominant Inherited Alzheimer Disease Treatment Unit (DIAN-TU and a Primary Prevention Study). Finally, he has had an interest in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy since the AIDS epidemic. When PML was associated with natalizumab use for multiple sclerosis, he participated in adjudication of this complication, and has since been in international leader in diagnosis and management of PML as a complication of immune modulation.