From the Journals
Rare, serious alemtuzumab adverse events emerge
New reports reveal rare adverse events in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis using alemtuzumab.
However, a researcher reported ocrelizumab open-label extension study data at the 2017 CMSC annual meeting and said, “incidence rates of malignancies and breast cancer observed with ocrelizumab treatment in MS remain within the range of epidemiologic background data.”
For now, Dr. Williamson, said, it may take decades to understand if there’s actually an increased breast cancer risk with ocrelizumab.
Skin cancer is a concern for fingolimod (Gilenya), Dr. Williamson said, specifically basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. It’s debatable whether patients should be required to see a dermatologist or make annual visits, he said. Per policy, his VA employer requires these patients to visit a dermatologist.
Whatever the case, it’s important to keep in mind that skin cancer screenings are advisable in general, he said.