Good News for Tysabri Users Who Are JCV Positive

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by Ed Tobias |

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JCV, myofascial release

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One of the many disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) that I’ve been on over the many years of my treatment for MS is Tysabri (natalizumab). It worked well, holding the progression of my MS at bay for the several years that I received the infusions. I’d probably still be on it today, were it not for the possibility of PML.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare brain infection that usually leads to severe disability or death. Most adults are already infected with a virus called the John Cunningham (JC) virus, which is usually acquired in childhood. People who carry the JC virus are susceptible to PML, but most don’t develop it. However, Tysabri and some other therapies that suppress the immune system are known to increase the risk of PML for those who are JCV-positive after a certain period.

I’m positive for the virus (JCV+). Even so, my neurologist, believing that the PML risk is low at the time a patient begins Tysabri infusions, prescribed the treatment for me. After two years, however, she reduced my infusions from monthly, which is the standard treatment, to every other month. That’s because studies indicated that the PML risk begins to increase after two years of Tysabri infusions.

Longer gaps between infusions may lessen the risk

Now there’s a study that confirms the wisdom of my neurologist’s treatment modification. Researchers at the New York University Langone MS Comprehensive Care Center report that extending the length of time between doses of Tysabri from every four weeks to every five to 12 weeks “significantly reduced the risk of developing” PML. This Langone study didn’t look at whether reducing the treatment frequency impacted the effectiveness of the therapy. However, previous work by the same researchers found that extending the dose up to eight weeks did not negatively affect the medication’s efficacy.

The Langone study’s primary author, Lana Zhovtis Ryerson, MD, considers this a potential treatment changer. “Our safety findings are clinically and statistically significant, and we believe that extending the dosing schedule of natalizumab is practice changing and may save lives,” Ryerson says.

That’s good news for patients who may have ignored a useful MS DMT because of its PML risk. And it proves to me that my neuro knows her stuff.

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Comments

Heracles avatar

Heracles

How much is Lana Zhovtis Ryerson, MD receiving in total compensation from Biogen??

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Becca avatar

Becca

I'm doing the 8-week infusions, too. I've gone 6 months with this schedule, and so far so good. I haven't found anything (rebif, copaxone, tecfidera, etc) to work near as well as tysabri so this is welcome news!

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Mayvår Sjøberg avatar

Mayvår Sjøberg

I reacted to the first dose, so we pushed time between doses to 6 weeks and infused over two hours with IV fluids prior (and pre-meds). I've been fine since. I'm glad to have a neurologist like mine!

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Cynthia avatar

Cynthia

I was on Tysabri for 6 years and was JCV positive. I went monthly up until June 1, 2018. My numbers from the blood work was good that test for the JCV. He told me that I had to stop because the FDA stated that I have gone past the required doses (72). The medicine was working for me really good. I cried because he placed me on a drug that I did not like because it smelled like marijuana every time I broke the seal. so now I am not on anything because I am JCV Positive.

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Ed Tobias avatar

Ed Tobias

Hi Cynthia,

There are about 15 disease-modifying therapies available in the US. For most of them being JCV positive isn't a concern. Have you asked your neurologist about any others?

Ed

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Helen Wilk avatar

Helen Wilk

Been on tysabri for 9 yrs and no one ever mentioned a dose limit.

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NIQUE avatar

NIQUE

If I have to go extend the days before I get my next infusion, I would be disheartened. A week and a few dsys before my next treatment my symptoms are extremely worse.

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Ed Tobias avatar

Ed Tobias

Hi Nique,

You're not alone. I've heard of many people who feel poorly just before they're due for their next Tysabri infusion. Fortunately, I didn't have that problem so extending the time between infusions didn't bother me. Eventually, however, my JCV titer score rose to a level where I needed to switch to a different DMT.

Ed

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Shannan avatar

Shannan

Did you change to Ocrevus? I have been on Tysabri 12 years and my JCV titer indicates I should switch, but I've read so many concerning comments about that drug.

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Ed Tobias avatar

Ed Tobias

Hi Shannan,

After Tysabri I went to Aubagio. For financial reasons I later changed to Lemtrada, and have finished two rounds of that med. Aubagio worked well for me. I think that Lemtrada has worked even better.

I've heard good things about the effectiveness of Ocrevus but I don't have any personal experience with it. Keep in mind that all of our medications carry some risk. You and your neurologist have to balance out the potential reward compared with the possible risk.

Keep in mind of the "concerning comments" you've read come from Facebook groups it's generally the case that more people take the time to write complaints than those who take the time to write positive posts.

Good luck,

Ed

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Donna Carpentier avatar

Donna Carpentier

Can I ask you how high your number of jcv was at?

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Ed Tobias avatar

Ed Tobias

Donna,

I was on Tysabri many years ago and I don't remember my titer score. Sorry.

Ed

Reply
kristen avatar

kristen

Hi Nique,
I have been taking tysabri for 2 years now. I found that when I am given more fluids it makes getting to the next infusion like a ordinary day. no more counting the days from 21-28.
Ask for more fluids

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Cjp avatar

Cjp

Great feedback for I’m the one giving tysabri. RN infusion

Reply
Vanessa avatar

Vanessa

Was on tysabri for 6 years before becoming jc positive at a 3.8 score. Switched to ocrevus and had 2 relapses in a year. I want back on tysabri, new score came back at 1.15. Scared but I need my quality of life to go back to what is was while I was on tysabri. Ocrevus has the same reduced disability progression, but does not mask symptoms. I'm on 4 new meds with these 2 relapses and wish I chose to space the infusions out vs jumping ship altogether.

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Ed Tobias avatar

Ed Tobias

Hi Vanessa,

Thanks for the information. DMTs treat us all differently. I'm glad that Tysabri works well for you and I hope you're able to continue with it. If you can't there are many other treatments you can discuss with your neuro.

Good luck,

Ed

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