Natalizumab-induced hepatic injury: A case report and review of literature

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2015 Nov;4(6):495-8. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2015.08.008. Epub 2015 Sep 3.

Abstract

Natalizumab is an α4-integrin monoclonal antibody used for treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). At least and nearly 30 cases of liver failure in natalizumab-treated patients are listed in the post-marketing FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) and twelve patients with severe liver injury, including several after the first infusion, have been reported (Lisotti et al., 2012; Bezabeh et al., 2010; Martinez-Lapiscina et al., 2013; Michael et al., 2007; Hillen et al., 2015). Herein, we describe a case of a young woman with relapsing MS who developed acute liver injury after the second infusion of natalizumab. Liver biopsy demonstrated a mixed pattern of medication-induced injury or partially treated auto-immune hepatitis. Liver function normalized after natalizumab discontinuation and a subsequent liver biopsy showed resolution of hepatitis. The patient's MS has since been successfully treated with rituximab for over a year. We review the published cases of liver injury associated with natalizumab and those in the post-marketing FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS).

Keywords: Autoimmune hepatitis; Drug-induced liver injury; Hepatotoxicity; Natalizumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / pathology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / toxicity*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy
  • Natalizumab / administration & dosage
  • Natalizumab / toxicity*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Natalizumab