Treating progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with interleukin 7 and vaccination with JC virus capsid protein VP1

Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Dec 1;59(11):1588-92. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu682. Epub 2014 Sep 11.

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a currently untreatable infection of the brain. Here, we demonstrate in 2 patients that treatment with interleukin 7, JC polyomavirus (JCV) capsid protein VP1, and a Toll-like receptor 7 agonist used as adjuvant, was well tolerated, and showed a very favorable safety profile and unexpected efficacy that warrant further investigation.

Keywords: IL-7; JC virus; VP1; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Interleukin-7 / therapeutic use*
  • JC Virus / chemistry
  • JC Virus / immunology*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / drug therapy
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / pathology
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / prevention & control
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / therapy*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / therapeutic use
  • Viral Vaccines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • Interleukin-7
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • Viral Vaccines