Question - Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody against cell surface antigen CD52 and is used to treat multiple sclerosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. What are the thyroid related adverse effects seen in patients taking Alemtuzumab?
Answer - The cited article notes “Treatment with alemtuzumab leads to a profound depletion of circulating B cells and T cells and a high rate of thyroid autoimmunity in patients with multiple sclerosis. Among 248 patients who were treated with alemtuzumab, thyroid dysfunction developed in 41.1%, and Graves’ disease developed in 71.6% of affected patients; the median interval between the final alemtuzumab dose and the onset of Graves’ disease was 17 months.” (Burch HB. Drug effects on the thyroid. 2019 NEJM 381:749-761)