Confirmation of CD19+ B-Lymphocyte Depletion Prior to Intake of the Second Dose of Ocrelizumab in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The aim of the retrospective study was to compare the immunophenotyping of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and natural killer cells before the administration of the first and the second dose of ocrelizumab in 22 patients with multiple sclerosis in a three-year period (2019-2021) at the Department of Neurology of the University Hospital of Split. The values of cell immunophenotyping and protein electrophoresis, as well as laboratory parameters, were investigated. There was no significant decrease in serum albumin and globulins before the second dose of ocrelizumab (p > 0,05). A decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes before administration of the second dose of ocrelizumab was observed, but without statistical significance (p = 0.274). Significant depletion occurred in median CD19+ B-lymphocytes (p < 0.001) before the intake of the second dose of ocrelizumab confirming the primary action of ocrelizumab on the B cell lineage.

Automated summary

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the immunophenotyping of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and natural killer cells before the administration of the first and second dose of ocrelizumab in multiple sclerosis patients. The study found no significant decrease in serum albumin and globulins before the second dose of ocrelizumab. A decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes was observed before the second dose, but without statistical significance. Significant depletion was observed in median CD19+ B-lymphocytes before the intake of the second dose, confirming the primary action of ocrelizumab on the B cell lineage.