Abstract
Interferon β-1a (IFNβ1a) is considered safe in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) is a rare but underreported adverse event that is often confused with other causes of thrombocytopenia. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who developed limb and oral mucosa petechiae and hematochezia, 10 years after beginning IFNβ1a. Blood work showed an isolated severe thrombocytopenia and ruled out other autoimmune diseases, viral infections, intravascular hemolysis, and renal impairment. Oral corticosteroids and tranexamic acid were initiated with a favorable platelet response. IFNβ1a was resumed, leading to recurrence of thrombocytopenia. Platelets came back to normal after intravenous immunoglobulins and IFNβ1a was definitively discontinued. To our knowledge, this is the first case of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) associated with IFNβ1a.
1. Introduction
Interferons (IFN) β-1a and 1b were the first effective treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and are still used as first-line therapies [1]. They are less efficient than most of the recent disease-modifying drugs but have the advantage of an excellent safety profile. However, around 5% of the patients experience hematologic toxicity including mild anemia or thrombocytopenia, which rarely requires dose adjustment or treatment discontinuation [2]. Suggested mechanisms are decreased megakaryocytes proliferation and maturation, and impaired production of platelets [3, 4]. Thrombocytopenia <75 G/L is very uncommon and should prompt further investigations.
Drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) is often not initially recognized and has an estimated incidence rate of 1 case per 100 000 inhabitants per year [5]. This incidence might be substantially higher in hospitalized patients, elderly persons, or those on specific medications. IFNβ are not listed in the comprehensive database of all substances that can cause thrombocytopenia (http://www.ouhsc.edu/platelets), and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is not a side effect that is described by the European Medicines Agency [6]. Of note, cases of thrombotic microangiopathies (hemolytic uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura), which associate thrombocytopenia with anemia and multiorgan failure, have been previously described and are treated differently [7]. Very recently, a further case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a woman with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with IFNβ-1a was published [8].
Here, we report the first case to our knowledge of a patient with severe relapsing thrombocytopenia following repetitive IFNβ-1a (Avonex®, Biogen, Switzerland AG) treatment and successfully managed with tranexamic acid, oral corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, and definitive drug withdrawal. We highlight the unusual appearance of this side effect after a 10-year period of treatment tolerance.
2. Clinical Case
A 52-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with unexplained bruises, petechial lesions on the four limbs and in the mouth, and hematochezia. She was diagnosed with RRMS at age 32 and had been treated for the last ten years with IFNβ-1a (30 µg) once weekly, without any relapse over the previous 6 years. The last IFNβ-1a injection was three days before the onset of symptoms (Figure 1, D0, platelet count 152 G/L). Except for a low body mass index (BMI 18 kg/m2), no other comorbidities were known and she did not take any medication but clonazepam, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation. Physical examination was otherwise normal, notably regarding fever. Blood examination showed severe thrombocytopenia (13 G/L; reference range: 150–350 G/L). Other blood parameters were normal and included blood smear, coagulation tests, hemolysis parameters, liver and renal functions, proteinuria and urinary sediment, HIV/viral hepatitis B and C/CMV/EBV/H. pylori serologies, serum immunofixation, autoantibodies (antinuclear, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, anti-nucleosome, anti-nucleoproteins), direct and indirect antiglobulin tests, and vitamins dosage (B9 and B12). Abdominal echography was normal. We first made a working diagnosis of ITP and the initial treatment consisted of oral tranexamic acid (1 g tid), corticosteroids (prednisone 1 mg/kg/day), and advice to IFNβ-1a discontinuation. After 24 hours, the platelet count rose to 57 G/L (Figure 1) and progressive platelet normalization allowed the patient to be discharged after six days. Eleven days after symptom onset, prednisone was tapered from 40 mg/d to 30 mg/d and IFNβ-1a injections resumed. Two days later, the patient noticed hemorrhagic blistering on her lips. Platelet count dropped to 1 G/L, requiring intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG, 1 g/kg for 2 days) and a new oral corticosteroids at 1 mg/kg/day. Fundus oculi examination was normal. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed no sign of RRMS activity. Platelet kinetic was rapidly favorable and we then made the diagnosis of immune DITP following IFNβ-1a treatment. Lifelong drug discontinuation was advised to her neurologist. Unfortunately, between 6 and 10 months after, thrombocytopenia relapsed in the context of a viral infection and of unknown origin, suggesting ITP. Given the high immunogenic status of the patient, she is currently considered for rituximab or ocrelizumab treatment, which are both effective in multiple sclerosis and other immune-mediated disorders, such as ITP [9].
3. Discussion
We report the first case of severe immune-mediated DITP following long-term IFNβ-1a treatment. The causal relationship between the drug and thrombocytopenia was confirmed by a positive drug rechallenge [10].
Thrombocytopenia in DITP usually occurs within 5–10 days after initiation of a new drug or within hours of subsequent exposure [10]. In our case, thrombocytopenia occurred 3 days after the last IFNβ-1a injection and 1–2 days upon rechallenge. DITP is generally severe (<20 G/L) with concomitant bleeding symptoms and signs (petechial lesions, bruising, and epistaxis) and deaths have been reported. The primary treatment for DITP is to discontinue the suspected causative agent, with an expected platelet count rise within 1–10 days. Patients experiencing mucous blistering or life-threatening bleeding may benefit from IVIG therapy, plasmapheresis, or platelet transfusion. Corticosteroids seem inefficient in the treatment of DITP, unless the patient is at high risk for, or is actively bleeding [10]. Co-occurrence of corticosteroid dose decrease and IFNβ-1a injection before thrombocytopenia relapse prompted us to continue the steroids for three months. We did not test for the presence of specific drug antibodies. Of note, results would not have led to treatment modification since the detection of drug-platelet antibodies lacks validation and standardization among the variety of techniques and drugs involved in DITP [10].
No such antibodies were previously described for IFNβ-1a [10]. Clonazepam treatment was never discontinued and therefore an unlikely cause of DITP. Patient’s low BMI might have had a possible role in a dose-related toxicity, even though IFNβ-1a had been well tolerated for 10 years.
DITP can be immune-mediated (drug-dependent antibodies) or non-immune-mediated (bone marrow suppression). Major drugs with known evidence of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and mechanisms of the development of drug-dependent antibodies are listed in Table 1. Non-immune-mediated thrombocytopenia involves direct myelosuppression through impairment of megakaryocyte survival, proliferation, and maturation (e.g., valganciclovir, IFNα/β, and chemotherapy).
Thrombocytopenia occurs in a wide variety of contexts that are summarized in Table 1 [11]. Thrombocytopenia and cases of ITP in multiple sclerosis have been described, however, at a lower frequency than potentially fatal thrombotic microangiopathies (uremic hemolytic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) [7]. Unlike IFNα, IFNβ has never been associated with immune-mediated DITP.
We reported this serious adverse effect of IFNβ-1a to the swiss pharmacovigilance (Swissmedic). Criteria used to establish the relationship with drug-induced thrombocytopenic purpura were all met [12]. Indeed, therapy with the candidate drug preceded the thrombocytopenic event and recovery from thrombocytopenia was complete and sustained after discontinuation of the drug. Other causes of thrombocytopenia were ruled out, except for the possible role of the autoimmune status of multiple sclerosis, which manifested months later as ITP. Finally, a positive drug rechallenge was performed, being considered as a diagnostic criterion.
4. Conclusion
This case highlights an unknown but potentially lethal side effect of IFNβ-1a treatment: immune-mediated DITP. Remarkably, immune-mediated DITP occurred years after treatment initiation. Treatment consists of long-term drug withdrawal and IVIG in case of severe thrombocytopenia with bleeding manifestations. Other forms of severe thrombocytopenia associated with anemia and multiorgan failure have been associated with IFNβ-1a treatment (thrombotic microangiopathies); however, they present and are treated differently. Immune-mediated DITP has also been described with other disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (fingolimod, natalizumab, and alemtuzumab), highlighting the importance for neurologists of knowing of this category of possible side effects.
Data Availability
No data were used to support this study.
Consent
Written consent has been obtained from the patient.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.