Status of MS'ers with PML as of 1st November, 2011:
- 38 patients have died (21%); most of the deaths have occurred within approximately 2 months after PML diagnosis
- 143 patients are alive (79%), it is too early to draw conclusions about the outcomes of patients who develop PML while on natalizumab treatment.
The following is the risk profiling algorithm with updated risks:
"It is clear that Natalizumab is associated with a risk of getting PML that varies depending on JC viral status, previous exposure to other immunosuppressive drugs and duration of treatment. Knowing these risks will allow you and your neurologist to make an informed decision on what to do with your treatment."
"In my opinion, a defined risk is better than an undefined risk."
CoI: Multiple, please note that all the data in this post has been supplied by Biogen-Idec as part of their "monthly natalizumab safety update and PML risk stratification programme".