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Case Reports
. 2024 Aug;30(4):441-444.
doi: 10.1007/s13365-024-01227-6. Epub 2024 Aug 18.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in sarcoidosis successfully treated with pembrolizumab

Gizem Öztürk  1 , Elif İrem Tekeli  2 , Seyda Erdoğan  2 , Elif Peker  3 , Canan Yücesan  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in sarcoidosis successfully treated with pembrolizumab

Gizem Öztürk et al. J Neurovirol. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a severe, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by JC virus infection. The disease can be seen in sarcoidosis patients without additional risk factors. Here, we present an individual with PML secondary to sarcoidosis treated with 8 doses of pembrolizumab, a Programmed Cell-Death-1 (PD-1) Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor who showed significant improvement. This report illustrates the objective clinical and radiological improvement in a patient with PML due to sarcoidosis, and suggests further study of immune checkpoint inhibitors as a potential treatment for sarcoidosis patients with PML.

Keywords: JC Virus; PML with sarcoidosis; Pembrolizumab; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

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