Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in the context of newer
therapies in hematology and review of new treatment strategies
- Publication date
- Publisher
Abstract
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, often fatal
demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by the
reactivation of JC polyomavirus in the CNS. We present a case of a
54-year-old man with follicular lymphoma diagnosed with PML after being
treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody-based regimens for several
years. Due to the lack of effective treatment choices for PML, the
patient was treated with nivolumab, based on recent reports, but
succumbed to his disease a few months after diagnosis. In this paper, we
focus on reviewing the literature of PML cases correlated with newer
agents used in hematology, possible factors affecting disease prognosis,
as well as the available data on upcoming therapeutic options for
patients with PML. Though newer promising treatments such as anti-PD1
monoclonal antibodies arise, a definitive treatment option is yet to be
found. Vigilance, early detection, and prompt intervention play a
crucial role in the prognosis of PML in patients with hematological
malignancies