Long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumor

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of different-course corticosteroids plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as maintenance therapy in autoimmune encephalitis (AE) with neuronal surface antibodies (NSAbs) without tumor and explore the optimal course of corticosteroids.MethodsFifty-five patients...

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Main Authors: Dong Li, Teng Huang, Fangyuan Zhang, Xiaoyu Zhang, Jingjing Dou, Chunjuan Wang, Shougang Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1195172/full
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author Dong Li
Teng Huang
Teng Huang
Fangyuan Zhang
Xiaoyu Zhang
Jingjing Dou
Chunjuan Wang
Shougang Guo
Shougang Guo
author_facet Dong Li
Teng Huang
Teng Huang
Fangyuan Zhang
Xiaoyu Zhang
Jingjing Dou
Chunjuan Wang
Shougang Guo
Shougang Guo
author_sort Dong Li
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of different-course corticosteroids plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as maintenance therapy in autoimmune encephalitis (AE) with neuronal surface antibodies (NSAbs) without tumor and explore the optimal course of corticosteroids.MethodsFifty-five patients with definite AE without tumor were enrolled consecutively between June 2015 and November 2020 and retrospectively divided three groups according to the course of treatment with corticosteroid, i.e., a group of patients with a course of 3-6 months (Group 3-6mo), 6-12 months (Group 6-12mo), and >12 months (Group >12mo). Demographic data, clinical manifestation and ancillary tests results were recorded. The dosage and courses of corticosteroid treatment, the recovery of neurological function, the occurrence of adverse effects, and relapses were followed up.ResultsA total of 55 patients were included in the final analysis. The numbers of patients in Group 3-6 mo, Group 6-12 mo, and Group >12 mo was 14, 17, and 24, respectively. A significantly higher proportion of patients in Group >12 mo showed a decreased level of consciousness at the onset (12, 50%) than in Group 3-6 mo and Group 6-12 mo (2,14.3%; 3, 17.6%) (p = 0.033). The incidence of MRI abnormalities was significantly higher in Group 6-12 mo and Group >12 mo (10, 58.8%; 16, 66.7%) than in Group 3-6 mo (3, 21.4%) (P=0.023). Ordinal regression analysis indicated that decreased level of consciousness was associated with the course of corticosteroid (OR=3.838, 95% CI: 1.103-13.323, P=0.035). No significant difference was observed between the three groups regarding the cumulative dose of corticosteroids administered during the first three months of long-term treatment (P>0.05). Additionally, no significant difference in the cumulative dosage of corticosteroids was found between patients in Group 6-12 months and Group >12 months during the first 6 months after beginning long-term treatment. The mRS scores of the three groups were not statistically significant before and after first-line treatment or at the last follow-up. Bonferroni multiple comparison test indicated that the mRS scores of patients in Group 6-12 months and Group >12 months were not statistically significant at 3 months and 12 months after the start of long-term treatment. During the follow-up, 50 (90.9%) patients achieved satisfactory neurological function (mRS score ≤2). Five patients (9.1%) experienced a first relapse and 2 of them were overlapped with both anti-NMDA receptor and glial antibodies. The incidence of adverse effects was significantly higher in Group >12 mo (17, 70.8%) than in Group 3-6 mo (3, 21.4%) and Group 6-12 mo (5, 29.4%) (P=0.003).ConclusionsThe beneficial effects of oral corticosteroid treatment may do not persist beyond 12 months and may even contribute to an increased incidence of adverse effects. In order to optimize the effectiveness and safety of treatment, we recommend a corticosteroid course of 3-12 months. Patients with reduced levels of consciousness may be more inclined to choose longer courses of corticosteroids for long-term treatment. Patients with an “overlapping syndrome” may require more intense immunotherapy to prevent relapse.
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spelling doaj.art-c6af65c3f1104912bd2eade0669d04d32023-07-13T00:56:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242023-07-011410.3389/fimmu.2023.11951721195172Long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumorDong Li0Teng Huang1Teng Huang2Fangyuan Zhang3Xiaoyu Zhang4Jingjing Dou5Chunjuan Wang6Shougang Guo7Shougang Guo8Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of different-course corticosteroids plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as maintenance therapy in autoimmune encephalitis (AE) with neuronal surface antibodies (NSAbs) without tumor and explore the optimal course of corticosteroids.MethodsFifty-five patients with definite AE without tumor were enrolled consecutively between June 2015 and November 2020 and retrospectively divided three groups according to the course of treatment with corticosteroid, i.e., a group of patients with a course of 3-6 months (Group 3-6mo), 6-12 months (Group 6-12mo), and >12 months (Group >12mo). Demographic data, clinical manifestation and ancillary tests results were recorded. The dosage and courses of corticosteroid treatment, the recovery of neurological function, the occurrence of adverse effects, and relapses were followed up.ResultsA total of 55 patients were included in the final analysis. The numbers of patients in Group 3-6 mo, Group 6-12 mo, and Group >12 mo was 14, 17, and 24, respectively. A significantly higher proportion of patients in Group >12 mo showed a decreased level of consciousness at the onset (12, 50%) than in Group 3-6 mo and Group 6-12 mo (2,14.3%; 3, 17.6%) (p = 0.033). The incidence of MRI abnormalities was significantly higher in Group 6-12 mo and Group >12 mo (10, 58.8%; 16, 66.7%) than in Group 3-6 mo (3, 21.4%) (P=0.023). Ordinal regression analysis indicated that decreased level of consciousness was associated with the course of corticosteroid (OR=3.838, 95% CI: 1.103-13.323, P=0.035). No significant difference was observed between the three groups regarding the cumulative dose of corticosteroids administered during the first three months of long-term treatment (P>0.05). Additionally, no significant difference in the cumulative dosage of corticosteroids was found between patients in Group 6-12 months and Group >12 months during the first 6 months after beginning long-term treatment. The mRS scores of the three groups were not statistically significant before and after first-line treatment or at the last follow-up. Bonferroni multiple comparison test indicated that the mRS scores of patients in Group 6-12 months and Group >12 months were not statistically significant at 3 months and 12 months after the start of long-term treatment. During the follow-up, 50 (90.9%) patients achieved satisfactory neurological function (mRS score ≤2). Five patients (9.1%) experienced a first relapse and 2 of them were overlapped with both anti-NMDA receptor and glial antibodies. The incidence of adverse effects was significantly higher in Group >12 mo (17, 70.8%) than in Group 3-6 mo (3, 21.4%) and Group 6-12 mo (5, 29.4%) (P=0.003).ConclusionsThe beneficial effects of oral corticosteroid treatment may do not persist beyond 12 months and may even contribute to an increased incidence of adverse effects. In order to optimize the effectiveness and safety of treatment, we recommend a corticosteroid course of 3-12 months. Patients with reduced levels of consciousness may be more inclined to choose longer courses of corticosteroids for long-term treatment. Patients with an “overlapping syndrome” may require more intense immunotherapy to prevent relapse.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1195172/fullautoimmune encephalitisneuronal surface antibodiescorticosteroidsmycophenolate mofetilcoursesefficacy and safety
spellingShingle Dong Li
Teng Huang
Teng Huang
Fangyuan Zhang
Xiaoyu Zhang
Jingjing Dou
Chunjuan Wang
Shougang Guo
Shougang Guo
Long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumor
Frontiers in Immunology
autoimmune encephalitis
neuronal surface antibodies
corticosteroids
mycophenolate mofetil
courses
efficacy and safety
title Long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumor
title_full Long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumor
title_fullStr Long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumor
title_full_unstemmed Long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumor
title_short Long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumor
title_sort long term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroid courses plus mycophenolate mofetil for autoimmune encephalitis with neuronal surface antibodies without tumor
topic autoimmune encephalitis
neuronal surface antibodies
corticosteroids
mycophenolate mofetil
courses
efficacy and safety
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1195172/full
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