Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a patient with multiple sclerosis treated with Teriflunomide and Ocrelizumab

• Published in: Journal of nephrology Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 659 - 661
• Main Authors: Greve, Anne-Sofie, Prakash, Sivagini, Krag, Søren, Randers, Else
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Adult; Albuminuria - chemically induced; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized - adverse effects; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized - therapeutic use; Case Report; Edema - chemically induced; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental - complications; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Nephrology; Treatment Outcome; Urology
• ISSN: 1724-6059; 1724-6059
• DOI: 10.1007/s40620-022-01504-9

We describe the case of a 24-year-old male patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who was treated with Teriflunomide for eight months. However, due to MS progression, treatment was switched to Ocrelizumab. After 15 months of therapy with Ocrelizumab the patient developed edema and nephrotic-range albuminuria. Kidney biopsy showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Ocrelizumab treatment was stopped. Teriflunomide is less likely to have caused FSGS due to a three week wash-out period and a timespan of 15 months between the last Teriflunomide dose and development of albuminuria. Treatment with Ocrelizumab has been associated with organ-specific inflammation in MS-patients, thus an association between the development of FSGS and Ocrelizumab therapy is possible, and this case suggests considering this potential association.