Safety of Natalizumab infusion in multiple sclerosis patients during active SARS-CoV-2 infection

COVID-19 pandemic represented a challenge in the management of treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), such as Natalizumab (NTZ). NTZ interferes with the homing of lymphocytes into the central nervous system, reducing immune surveillance against opportunistic infection. Although NTZ efficacy starts to decline 8 weeks after the last infusion, increasing the risk of disease reactivation, evidence is lacking on the safety of reinfusion during active SARS-CoV-2 infection. We report clinical outcomes of 18 pwMS receiving NTZ retreatment during confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. No worsening of infection or recovery delay was observed. Our data supports the safety of NTZ redosing in these circumstances.

Automated summary

This study reports the clinical outcomes of 18 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving retreatment with Natalizumab (NTZ) during confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results show that redosing NTZ does not lead to worsening of infection or delay in recovery, supporting the safety of NTZ retreatment in this situation.