HIV Drug May Help in PML

Published: Jan 29, 2014

By John Gever, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today

A relatively simple way to make progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) more survivable appears to have worked in a multiple sclerosis patient taking natalizumab (Tysabri).

Before telling you what that remedy is, first let’s go over what happens in PML. Those already familiar with it and a related condition called IRIS can skip over this part.

PML is a severe brain inflammation arising from reactivation of latent infection with the so-called JC virus, which is common in the general population. This reactivation usually results from some type of immunosuppression — PML has been seen in conjunction with cancer chemotherapy, HIV infection, and with certain drugs targeting particular immune-system components.

Although natalizumab has attracted the most attention recently for PML risk, the condition has been linked to other drugs, including rituximab (Rituxan), fingolimod (Gilenya), and others.

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