Assessing changes in a person’s heart rate can help to predict the degree to which lymphocyte numbers will decrease in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients using Gilenya (fingolimod), according to a small study.
The research, “Fingolimod-induced decrease in heart rate may predict subsequent decreasing degree of lymphocytes,” was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Lymphopenia, or an abnormally low level of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood, results from Gilenya’s binding to S1P1 receptors on lymphocytes, retaining these cells in lymph nodes. Although this is the intended effect of the therapy, in excess it can raise a person’s risk of infection. As such, having a marker to predict an excessive lowering in lymphocyte numbers after treatment with Gilenya would be beneficial.
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