Protein A immunoadsorption for the treatment of refractory anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis: A single-center prospective study

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences 2021-09, Vol.428, p.117568-117568, Article 117568
• Main Authors: Zhang, Bingjun, Yu, Dafan, Zhu, Qiang, Ruan, Hengfang, Yu, Boguang, Cui, Chunping, Yang, Yu, Qiu, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis; Protein A immunoadsorption; Refractory
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117568

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of protein A immunoadsorption (IA) for anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis resistant to intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). We prospectively evaluated patients with refractory anti-NMDAR encephalitis, treated with protein A IA. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, modified Rankin Score (mRS), and anti-NMDAR antibodies were documented before and after IA and at follow-up. Clinical improvement was defined as a decrease of mRS ≥1. Adverse events were recorded throughout the study. Ten patients with mRS ≥3 were enrolled and treated with protein A IA; treatment was performed for an average of 5.2 times per patient. Among the nine patients with positive serum anti-NMDAR, the titer decreased in seven patients, of which two became negative. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) anti-NMDAR titer decreased in all patients, and one became negative. Anti-NMDAR levels were tested in two patients at follow-up and found to have declined continuously. All patients exhibited clinical improvement with a mRS decline ≥1 after IA treatment (median mRS: 5.0 [range, 3.0–5.0] vs. 4.0 [range, 2.0–4.0], p = 0.014), and the median mRS decreased to 1.0 (range, 0–3.0) at follow-up. After IA, all patients exhibited accelerated recovery. No adverse events were observed during IA treatment. Protein A IA may be effective for treating IVMP/IVIG-resistant anti-NMDAR encephalitis and well tolerated. It is necessary to initiate larger-scale prospective controlled studies to validate the efficacy and safety of protein A IA in anti-NMDAR encephalitis. •Efficacy and safety of protein A immunoadsorption (IA) was evaluated in this study.•Patients with refractory anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis were enrolled.•No adverse events were observed during IA treatment.•Protein A IA was effective for treating IVMP/IVIG-resistant anti-NMDAR encephalitis.