Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Efficacy of Repeat Immunoadsorption

• Main Authors: Markus Tölle, Helma Freitag, Michaela Antelmann, Jelka Hartwig, Mirjam Schuchardt, Markus van der Giet, Kai-Uwe Eckardt, Patricia Grabowski, Carmen Scheibenbogen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Subjects: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; immunoadsorption; ß2 adrenoreceptor autoantibody
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/8/2443

(1) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex neuroimmunological disease. There is evidence for an autoimmune mechanism for ME/CFS with an infection-triggered onset and dysfunction of ß₂-adrenoreceptor antibodies (ß₂AR-AB). In a first proof-of-concept study, we could show that IA was effective to reduce ß₂AR-AB and led to improvement of various symptoms. (2) Five of the ME/CFS patients who had clinical improvement following treatment with a five-day IA were retreated in the current study about two years later with a modified IA protocol. The severity of symptoms was assessed by disease specific scores during a follow-up period of 12 months. The antibodies were determined by ELISA. (3) The modified IA treatment protocol resulted in a remarkable similar clinical response. The treatment was well tolerated and 80–90% decline of total IgG and ß₂AR-AB was achieved. Four patients showed a rapid improvement in several clinical symptoms during IA therapy, lasting for six to 12 months. One patient had no improvement. (4) We could provide further evidence that IA has clinical efficacy in patients with ME/CFS. Data from our pilot trial warrant further controlled studies in ME/CFS.