Impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and fetal outcomes in women with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: In the general population, maternal COVID-19 is associated with worse maternal and fetal outcomes. Two previous studies have assessed COVID-19 clinical outcomes in pregnant women with multiple sclerosis (MS), but there are no data about maternal and fetal outcomes. OBJECTIVES: In this multicenter study, we aimed to assess maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with MS and COVID-19 infection. METHODS: We recruited pregnant patients with MS who contracted COVID-19 and were followed up in Italian and Turkish Centers, during 2020-2022. A control group was extracted from a previous Italian cohort. Associations between group (COVID-19 or healthy patients) and clinical outcomes (maternal complications, fetal malformations, and spontaneous abortion) were investigated with a weighted logistic regression where propensity score-based inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) approach was applied for adjusting for difference in baseline confounders. RESULTS: In the multivariable analysis, COVID-19 during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of maternal complications (odd ratio (OR) = 2.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32-3.48; p = 0.002), while it was not associated with higher risk of spontaneous abortion and fetal malformations. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal complications, while it seems to have no significant impact on fetal outcomes.

Early reduction of retinal thickness predicts physical and cognitive disability in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients: results from a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness is a promising biomarker of axonal loss and a potential outcome predictor in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Cognitive impairment (CoI) exhibits a high prevalence in patients with MS (pwMS), even in the early phases of the disease. Our aim was to explore the role of RNFL thickness as a predictor of physical and cognitive disability in pwMS. METHODS: All newly diagnosed pwMS referred to the MS centre of the University-Hospital "Policlinico-San Marco" between 2015-2019 were evaluated at baseline and at 3 years. RNFL and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness for right (r.e.) and left eyes (l.e.) were measured with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Disability level and cognitive profile were assessed, using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) battery, respectively. RESULTS: We consecutively enrolled 487 pwMS, including 68 (14.0%) with primary progressive MS (PPMS). At baseline, RNFL and GCL were bilaterally thinner in PPMS (r.e. 90.4 ± 12.7; l.e. 90.2 ± 13.5, and r.e. 80.1 ± 11.2; l.e. 80.3 ± 12.6, respectively) compared to relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (r.e. 94.6 ± 13.1; l.e. 94.3 ± 14.8, and r.e. 85.1 ± 9.5; l.e. 84.9 ± 9.3, respectively) (p < 0.01). Both groups exhibited reduced RNFL and GCL thickness, worse cognitive performance and higher EDSS scores at 3-years follow-up compared with baseline. RNFL thickness ≤ 88.0 µm was an independent predictor of CoI (OR = 5.32; 95% CI = 1.84-9.12; p = 0.02) and disability worsening (OR = 3.18; 95% CI = 1.21-10.33; p = 0.05). DISCUSSION: RNFL thickness, as a biomarker of neurodegeneration, could be considered a predictive biomarker of cognitive degeneration and physical disability in MS.

Reliability of televisits for patients with mild relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in the COVID-19 era.

BACKGROUND: Evidence of the cost-effectiveness of telemedicine (TM) for the management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been provided recently. However, some doubts persist about the accuracy of neurological examinations performed remotely. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the reliability of neurological evaluations performed through TM in mild MS patients as compared with standard in-person visits. METHODS: In total, 76 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 3.5 were consecutively recruited. Of them, 40 patients (52.6%) accepted to undergo both in-person and TM evaluations with independent examiners within 48 h. We alternatively asked patients to assure or not the presence of a caregiver during TM visits. A satisfaction questionnaire was administered to all participants. RESULTS: The inter-rater agreement attributed by two independent neurologists during TM visit was high (κ > 0.80) for EDSS and Functional Systems (FS) scores. Moderate agreement between TM and in-person evaluations emerged for pyramidal (κ = 0.57; p < 0.001), brainstem (κ = 0.57; p < 0.001), bowel and bladder (κ = 0.54; p < 0.001) and sensory (κ = 0.51; p < 0.001) FS scores, higher in patients providing the support of a caregiver. A good reliability was reported for EDSS scores computed during remote and in-person visits (ICC = 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.91; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the complexity of neurological examination, TM could be useful in monitoring MS patients with low disability.

Natalizumab administration in multiple sclerosis patients during active SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case series.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a pandemic, affecting the therapeutic management for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Any decision regarding the discontinuation of high-potency agents for moderate and highly active MS should be carefully evaluated, taking into account the potential risk of rebound of the disease. In particular, no data about clinical outcome of patients with MS receiving Natalizumab (NTZ) during active COVID-19 infection have been reported yet. CASES PRESENTATION: We reported on 6 patients treated with NTZ for relapsing MS during active COVID-19 infection, who recovered without reporting any worsening or new symptoms. Most of the patients were asymptomatic, with the exception of one patient who had a slight worst COVID-19 clinical course. No patients received O2-therapy or required intensive care. No neurological complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This paper reported the clinical outcome of patients with MS receiving NTZ during active COVID-19 infection. This case series suggests that treatment with NTZ during pandemic is relatively safe and might be continued in selected patients who are infected by COVID-19, thereby reducing the risk of MS disease rebound.

CSF neurotoxic metals/metalloids levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: comparison between bulbar and spinal onset.

INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that causes progressive and irreversible damage in motor neurons. Different causal hypotheses include genetic, viral, traumatic and environmental mechanisms, such as exposure to heavy metals. The aim of this study was to compare metal/metalloid levels in cerebro-spinal fluid of ALS subtypes (spinal vs bulbar clinical onset). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational study consecutively screened all ALS patients referring to the Neurology Clinic of the University of Catania (Italy). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify magnesium (Mg), cuprum (Cu), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), alluminium (Al), arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and palladium (Pd) levels. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were enrolled (62.2% females), median age of 65 years (IQR: 59-71 years). Thirty-one (83.8%) patients had a spinal onset and 6 (16.2%) a bulbar onset. Se and As levels were higher compared to the reference values (RV) both in spinal and bulbar onset, while Cu was higher than RV only in bulbar onset. Moreover, Cu (129.8 µg/L vs 29.8 µg/L), Fe (54.5 µg/L vs 33.3 µg/L), Mn (3.4 µg/L vs 1.8 µg/L), Zn (46.1 µg/L vs 35.7 µg/L), Al (12.2 µg/L vs 6.7 µg/L), Ni (2.80 µg/L vs 1.40 µg/L), and Pb (0.60 µg/L vs 0.30 µg/L) levels were higher in bulbar than in spinal onset, conversely As was slightly higher in spinal than in bulbar onset (1.40 µg/L vs 1.10 µg/L). Overall, Cu (129 µg/L vs 31 µg/L), Fe (92.2 µg/L vs 32.9 µg/L), Mn (3.35 µg/L vs 1.80 µg/L), Zn (56.5 µg/L vs 35.2 µg/L), Al (14.45 µg/L vs 6.70 µg/L), and Cd (0.40 µg/L vs 0.08 µg/L) levels were higher in patients with disease duration less than 19 months. CONCLUSION: Our results supported the hypothesis that metals/metalloids with neurotoxic effects could be involved in the etiology of ALS, showing higher levels of Cu, Se and As. Relevant differences in Cu and Mn levels were found between bulbar and spinal onset patients.

Dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic gait components assessed by instrumented timed up and go test in Parkinson's disease.

The timed up and go test (TUG) is a widely used clinical test for the evaluation of balance and mobility. An instrumented version of TUG (iTUG) has been proposed to provide quantitative information on TUG performances. Here, we hypothesized that L-dopa may differently influence gait parameters recorded by a portable inertial sensor. To test this idea, we evaluated iTUG test in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), both in L-dopa OFF and ON state. Twenty-eight PD patients performed the iTUG. Subjects were instructed to perform the task both in practical "OFF" and "ON" state. The system differentiated the test in six phases, recording phase durations, three-axial accelerations, average and peak angular speeds during turning. In all patients, sit-to-stand vertical and medio-lateral accelerations together with turning phase duration and angular speeds improved after L-dopa administration, while sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit phases antero-posterior accelerations were less responsive. In PD, L-dopa modulates iTUG in different ways, mostly improving the turning phases and less acting on postural controls during the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit phases. Our results suggest different involvement of dopaminergic mechanisms on gait as assessed by iTUG. This is important for those aspects which are not improved by pharmacological therapy.

Palliative care in multiple sclerosis.

Main target in palliative care (PC) is burden care of patients and their families, with the aim to reduce suffering through the management of symptoms, rehabilitation, psychosocial issues, and spiritual well-being, using a multidisciplinary approach. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease which induces physical and psychosocial symptoms, with a significant impact on the quality of life. As a consequence, despite advances in research in disease-modifying drugs, MS remains a life-limiting disease with symptoms negatively impacting the lives of MS patients and their families. PC has been developed for end-of-life treatment in oncology, being little used in MS. Specific issues in MS, like pain due to spasticity, requires a different approach respect to cancer pain management. Moreover, it is difficult to anticipate life expectancy in people with severe MS, who often need palliative care for a long extended period. PC teams are trained to keep open full and competent lines of communication about symptoms and disease progression, advanced care planning, and end-of-life issues and wishes. Many studies investigated the effects of home-based PC in advanced MS, showing weak evidences about the efficacy of PC versus usual care in MS. However, current evidence does not support or refute the routine use of PC interventions for people with MS.

Pregnancy planning and management for women with multiple sclerosis: what has changed over the last 15 years? An Italian single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy planning is a relevant issue in the management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which commonly involves women of childbearing age. Increased knowledge and a wider therapeutic scenario could have changed the approach of neurologists towards this topic over time. Our aim was to describe how pregnancy planning and management for women with MS have changed in the last 15 years. METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical data of female patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), referred to the Neurology Clinic of the University-Hospital "Policlinico G. Rodolico" of Catania, who became pregnant between 2005-2020. We compared data about MS and pregnancy between two time periods according to pregnancy onset (2005-2012; 2013-2020). RESULTS: 190 patients with RRMS carried 253 pregnancies in the observation period. Women undergoing a pregnancy in the last period (2013-2020), as compared to women who had pregnancy in the first period (2005-2012), were older (p<0.01), more often treated before and during pregnancy with high-efficacy disease-modifying drugs (DMD) (p<0.001), and exhibited lower annualized relapse rates (ARR) before (p=0.01) and after pregnancy (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Results from our experience suggest that nowadays DMD are more frequently used in women of childbearing age, even during pregnancy, leading to a reduced ARR before and after delivery in absence of increased obstetric complications.

A dynamic interpretation of κFLC index for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: a change of perspective.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies attempted to define the best threshold for κ free light chains (κFLC) index, confirming higher sensitivity (Se) but less specificity (Sp) compared with IgG oligoclonal bands (OCB) for the diagnosis of MS. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different κFLC index intervals in a miscellaneous cohort of neurological patients, proposing a procedural flowchart for MS diagnosis. METHODS: We analyzed data from 607 patients diagnosed with MS (179), CIS (116), other inflammatory (94) or non-inflammatory neurological diseases (218). Measures of diagnostic accuracy were reported for different potential thresholds of κFLC index, and for IgG OCB and IgG index. Binary logistic regression was to used to calculate the odds of being diagnosed with MS based on each increase of κFLC index. RESULTS: CSF IgG OCB showed 72.2% Se (CI 95% 68.4-75.7) and 95.2% Sp (CI 95% 93.1-96.7) in discriminating between MS/CIS and controls, with an AUC of 0.84 (CI 95% 0.80-0.87). The highest diagnostic accuracy was reported for κFLC index cut-off of 5.0 (Se = 85.4%, Sp = 90.4%, AUC = 0.88), while a threshold of 11.0 exhibited higher Sp (95.5%, 95% CI 93.1-97.1) than IgG OCB. AUCs for all thresholds between 4.25 and 6.6 were not significantly different from each other, but were significantly higher than the AUC of IgG OCB (p < 0.05). The odds of being diagnosed with MS/CIS increased by 17.1% for each unit increase of κFLC index (OR = 1.17; 95% CI 1.12-1.23; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: κFLC index performed better than CSF IgG OCB in supporting the diagnosis of MS/CIS, with the advantage of being a cost-effective and quantitative analysis.

A Lethal Case of Disseminated Cladosporium allicinum Infection in a Captive African Bullfrog.

Cladosporium infections have a poor prognosis in animals, most likely due to a lack of knowledge about diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we described a case of a lethal Cladosporium allicinum infection in a captive bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) in Europe. One adult male bullfrog was referred with clinical signs of lethargy and a cutaneous nodule. Fungal infection was suspected on cytology and confirmed by histology and cultural isolation. The mold was identified by molecular methods using partial sequencing of the TEF1α gene and the ITS region of rDNA. Climbazole antifungal treatment was started but the frog died after 30 days, and necropsy was done. Pigmented hyphae and structures consistent with muriform bodies were found on a background of diffuse granulomatous inflammation at cytological and histopathological examinations. Fungal culture revealed the presence of pigmented fungi identified as Cladosporium allicinum only by partial sequencing of the TEF1α gene. A focally extensive granuloma with intralesional hyphae and muriform bodies effacing the architecture of head, liver, kidneys, lungs, and large intestine were retrieved after necropsy. This study is the first Italian report of the occurrence of lethal C. allicinum infection in a frog and highlights the role of this Cladosporium sp. in chromoblastomycosis.

Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chains predicts early disease-activity in Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Among biomarkers of axonal damage, neurofilament light chains (NFL) seem to play a major role, representing a promising and interesting tool in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Our aim was to explore the predictive role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NFL in patients with a recent diagnosis of MS, naïve to any MS therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of patients diagnosed with MS, referred to the Neurology Clinic of the University-Hospital G. Rodolico of Catania between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2015. All patients underwent CSF collection at the time of MS diagnosis and were followed-up for at least three years afterwards. NFL levels were measured in CSF samples with Simoa NFLight advantage kit at the CRESM (University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Torino). NFL levels were expressed as LogNFL. Symbol Digit Modalities test (SDMT) was performed at baseline, at 1-year and at 3-year follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate LogNFL as a potential risk factor of different clinical outcomes. RESULTS: 244 MS patients (230 relapsing-remitting, RRMS; 94.3 %), with a mean age at diagnosis of 37.0 ± 11.1 years, were recruited. LogNFL did not correlate neither with EDSS score at diagnosis and at subsequent follow-up up to 12 years, nor with SDMT performed at diagnosis, at 1 year and at 3 years. LogNFL were an independent factor for the occurrence of at least one relapse during the first two years after MS diagnosis (OR = 2.75; 95 % CI 1.19-6.31; p = 0.02) and for the occurrence of gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions during the first 2 years from diagnosis at brain and spine MRI scans (OR = 3.45, 95 % CI 1.81-6.57; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The detection of CSF NFL at the time of MS diagnosis can be a useful support to predict the two-year risk of clinical and radiological relapses, thus affecting therapeutic choices in the very early phases of the disease.

REal-World effectIveNess of claDribine for patients with multiple sclerosis: a Sicilian multicentric experience (REWIND study).

BACKGROUND: cladribine tablets is a highly effective option for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effectiveness of cladribine in a real-world setting. METHODS: this prospective real-world study consecutively screened all RRMS patients from seven different MS centers in Sicily (Italy), who completed the 2-year treatment course of cladribine tablets in the period between 11th March 2019 and 31st October 2021. Data about Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), relapses, previous treatments, adverse events (AEs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were collected. Patients who were previously treated with other DMTs were further stratified in moderately active treatment (MAT) and highly active treatment (HAT) patients. RESULTS: a total of 217 patients, (70% women, with mean age of 38.4 ± 11.3 years), were enrolled. Fifty patients (23.0%) were naïve to treatment and 167 (77%) switched from another disease modifying therapies. After the second year of treatment, about 80% of were EDSS progression free, 88% remained relapse-free at T24, and 48% of patients were MRI activity-free. Kaplan Meier analyses showed significant differences between MT and HAT in terms of time to first clinical relapse (HR: 2.43, IC 1.02 - 5.76; p=0.04), time to the first new T1-gadolinium enhancing lesion (HR: 3.43, IC 1.35 - 8.70; p= 0.009) and time to MRI worsening (HR: 2.42, IC 1.15 - 5.09; p= 0.02). CONCLUSION: this study confirmed that cladribine is an effective treatment for MS, in particular in naïve patients and in those who have switched from MATs.

Patients with multiple sclerosis choose a collaborative role in making treatment decision: results from the Italian multicenter SWITCH study.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians are increasingly recognizing the importance of shared decision-making in complex treatment choices, highlighting the importance of the patient's rationale and motivation for switching therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between different modalities of changing multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments, cognitive profile and attitude and preferences of patients concerning treatment choice. METHODS: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted at 28 Italian MS centers in the period between June 2016 and June 2017. We screened all MS patients treated with any DMT, with a treatment compliance of at least 80% of therapy administered during the 3 last months who needed to modify MS therapy because of efficacy, safety or other reasons during a follow-up visit. At the time of switching the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and the Control Preference Scale (CPS) were evaluated. According to the CPS, patients were classified as "active" (i.e. who prefer making the medical decision themselves), "collaborative" (i.e. who prefer decisions be made jointly with the physician), or "passive" (i.e. who prefer the physician make the decision). RESULTS: Out of 13,657 patients recorded in the log, 409 (3%) changed therapy. Of these, 336 (2.5%) patients, 69.6% were female and with mean age 40.6 ± 10.5 years, were enrolled. According to the CPS score evaluation, a significant high percentage of patients (51.1%) were considered collaborative, 74 patients (22.5%) were passive, and 60 (18.2%) patients were active. Stratifying according to CPS results, we found a higher SDMT score among collaborative patients compared to active and passive ones (45.8 ± 12.3 versus 41.0 ± 13.2 versus 41.7 ± 12.8, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, the CPS evaluation showed that more than 50% of patients who needed to change therapy chose a "collaborative" role in making treatment decision. Cognitive profile with SDMT seems to correlate with patients' preference on treatment decision, showing better scores in collaborative patients.

Effectiveness of Ocrelizumab in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: a Multicenter, Retrospective, Real-world Study (OPPORTUNITY).

Ocrelizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody selectively targeting CD20-expressing B cells. The effect of ocrelizumab on primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) has been evaluated during phase 3 trials that enrolled patients under 55 years with a maximum Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 6.5. However, little is known on older disabled patients with longer disease duration. We aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness of ocrelizumab in PPMS patients out of the ORATORIO eligibility criteria. This multicenter retrospective study collected data about the effectiveness of ocrelizumab in PPMS patients who received treatment between May 2017 and June 2022 in the Italian MS centers contributing to the Italian MS Registry who adhered to the Compassionate Use Program. The confirmed EDSS worsening (CEW) (defined as either a ≥ 1-point or ≥ 2-point increase in EDSS score from baseline that was confirmed at T12 and T24) was calculated. At the date of data extraction, out of 887 PPMS patients who had received ocrelizumab, 589 (mean age 49.7 ± 10.7 years, 242 (41.1%) females) were enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 41.3 ± 12.3 months. A total of 149 (25.3%) received ocrelizumab according to the ORATORIO criteria (ORATORIO group) and 440 (74.7%) outside the ORATORIO criteria (non-ORATORIO group). No differences in terms of cumulative probabilities of 12 and 24 months of CEW of ≤ 1 point were found between ORATORIO and non-ORATORIO groups. Cox regression analyses showed that age older than 65 years (HR 2.51, 25% CI 1.07-3.65; p = 0.01) was associated with higher risk of CEW at 24 months. Patients not responding to ORATORIO criteria for reimbursability may benefit from ocrelizumab treatment, as disease activity, disease duration, and EDSS seem to not impact the disability outcome. Our results may suggest to extend the possible use of this powerful agent in selected patients under the age of 65 years.

Changes in John Cunningham Virus Index in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Different Disease-Modifying Therapies.

BACKGROUND: Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an opportunistic infection caused by John Cunningham virus (JCV) reactivation, potentially associated with natalizumab (NTZ) treatment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The anti-JCV antibodies titre (JCV index) increases during NTZ treatment; however, the effects of other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) on the JCV index have not been fully explored. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the JCV index during treatment with several DMTs. METHODS: This longitudinal study evaluated the JCV index before starting DMT (T0) and during treatment with DMT (T1). RESULTS: A total of 260 participants (65.4 % females, mean age 43 ± 11.3 ) were enrolled: 68 (26.2 %) treated with fingolimod (FTY), 65 (25 %) rituximab or ocrelizumab (RTX/OCR), 37 (14.2 %) dimethyl-fumarate (DMF), 29 (11.2 %) cladribine (CLD), 23 (8.8 %) teriflunomide (TFM), 20 (7.7 %) interferon or glatiramer acetate (IFN/GA), and 18 (6.9 %) alemtuzumab (ALM). At T1, the percentage of patients with JCV index <0.90 was found to be significantly increased in the ALM group (16.7 % versus 66.7 %, p = 0.05), while the percentage of patients with JCV index >1.51 was found to be significantly reduced in the RTX/OCR group (51.6 % versus 37.5 %, p = 0.04). In the FTY group, a significant reduction in the percentage of patients with JCV index <0.90 was also found (23.5 % versus 1.4 %, p = 0.0006). The mean JCV index was reduced in the RTX/OCR and ALM groups, while a significant increase was observed in the FTY group. CONCLUSION: DMTs with a T and/or B depleting mechanism of action induced a significant reduction in the JCV index. These results may suggest new possible sequencing strategies potentially maximizing disease control while reducing the PML risk.

Rituximab for the treatment of multiple sclerosis: a review.

In the last decades, evidence suggesting the direct or indirect involvement of B cells on multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis has accumulated. The increased amount of data on the efficacy and safety of B-cell-depleting therapies from several studies has suggested the addition of these drugs as treatment options to the current armamentarium of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS. Particularly, rituximab (RTX), a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed at CD20 positive B lymphocytes resulting in cell-mediated apoptosis, has been demonstrated to reduce inflammatory activity, incidence of relapses and new brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Additional evidence also demonstrated that patients with progressive MS (PMS) may benefit from RTX, which also showed to be well tolerated, with acceptable safety risks and favorable cost-effectiveness profile.Despite these encouraging results, RTX is currently approved for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, several forms of vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis, while it can only be administered off-label for MS treatment. Between Northern European countries exist different rules for using not licensed drug for treating MS. The Sweden MS register reports a high rate (53.5%) of off-label RTX prescriptions in relation to other annually started DMTs to treat MS patients, while Danish and Norwegian neurologists have to use other anti-CD20 drugs, as ocrelizumab, in most of the cases.In this paper, we review the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, safety profile and cost effectiveness aspects of RTX for the treatment of MS. Particularly, with the approval of new anti-CD20 DMTs, the recent worldwide COVID-19 emergency and the possible increased risk of infection with this class of drugs, this review sheds light on the use of RTX as an alternative treatment option for MS management, while commenting the gaps of knowledge regarding this drug.

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Monocentric Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory and immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS), commonly affecting young adults and potentially associated with life-long disability. About 14 disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) are currently approved for the treatment of MS. However, despite the use of highly effective therapies, some patients exhibit a highly active disease with an aggressive course from onset and a higher risk of long-term disability accrual. In the last few years, several retrospective studies, clinical trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews have investigated autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) as a possible therapeutic option in order to address this unmet clinical need. These studies demonstrated that AHSCT is a highly efficacious and relatively safe therapeutic option for the treatment of highly active MS. Particularly, over recent years, the amount of evidence has grown, with significant improvements in the development of patient selection criteria, choice of the most suitable transplant technique and clinical experience. In this paper, we present six patients who received AHSCT in our MS center and we systematically reviewed recent evidence about the long-term efficacy and safety of AHSCT and the placement of AHSCT in the rapidly evolving therapeutic armamentarium for MS.

Factors driving delayed time to multiple sclerosis diagnosis: Results from a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a highly complex chronic inflammatory disease, in which a diagnostic delay could reduce the available therapeutic options. Our aim was to identify factors contributing to diagnostic delay in a MS population living in the municipality of Biancavilla. METHODS: This retrospective population-based study consecutively selected patients with MS diagnosed from 1992 to 2018 and resident in the city of Biancavilla. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected through the iMed database. Date of final MS diagnosis was obtained and diagnostic delay was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients (66.7% women) were found affected by MS according to the 2011 McDonald criteria in the municipality of Biancavilla in the period between 2005 and 2010. The mean diagnostic delay in the MS cohort of Biancavilla was 33.8 ± 56 months [median 19.5, range 1-315]. The multivariate logistic regression confirmed that age ≥ 40 years, lower educational level (1-5 years) and motor symptoms at onset were associated to longer diagnostic delay. CONCLUSION: In this population-based study a mean delay of about 30 months occurred between initial symptoms and the MS diagnosis. Older age at onset, lower education level and motor symptoms at onset were associated to longer MS diagnostic delay.

Immunological Subsets Characterization in Newly Diagnosed Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Objectives: Using flow cytometry, we characterized myeloid, B, and T cells in patients recently diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) naive to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted in the tertiary MS center of Catania, Italy. Demographic/clinical data and peripheral bloods were collected from 52 naive patients recently diagnosed with RRMS and sex/age-matched healthy controls (HCs) in a 2:1 ratio. We performed flow cytometry on isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells to assess immune cell subsets differences between RMMS patients and HCs. We explored the biomarker potential of cell subsets using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and relative area under the curve (AUC) analyses. Results: Monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (Mo-MDSCs CD14+/HLADR-/low) and inflammatory monocytes (CD14+CD16+) displayed higher frequencies in RRMS patients when compared with HCs (p <.05). A lower percentage of B-unswitched memory cells was observed in RRMS patients when compared with HCs (p = .026). T cells had a higher frequency of T-helper CD4+ cells and their subset, CD4+CD161+, in RRMS patients when compared with HCs (p <.001). ROC analyses revealed an AUC >70% for Mo-MDSCs CD14+/HLADR-/low and inflammatory CD14+CD16+, T-helper CD3+CD4+, and T-helper CD4+CD161+. Conclusions: Patients with a recent RRMS diagnosis and naive to DMTs, showed peculiar myeloid, B-, and T-cell immunophenotypes.