CRITICAL VASOSPASM DURING FINGOLIMOD (FTY720) TREATMENT IN A PATIENT WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

We report on a woman who developed critical arterial vasospasm of the left arm within 7 days after having started treatment with Fingolimod (FTY720). Fingolimod is an orally administered modulator of the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor family, acting at 4 of the 5 G protein-coupled S1P receptors. It causes a reversible sequestration of lymphocytes into lymph nodes, thereby inhibiting their migration to sites of inflammation. Fingolimod is currently tested in clinical trials for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). As S1P receptors regulate numerous cellular processes in different tissues, Fingolimod exhibits the capacity to induce versatile pharmacologic effects. ![][1] ### Classification of evidence. This is a single observational study without controls; therefore, level of evidence is IV. ### Case report. A 41-year-old woman was recruited in February 2007 as a participant of the TRANSFORMS study,1 a clinical phase III trial comparing the efficacy and safety of oral Fingolimod at 0.5 mg or 1.25 mg per day vs IM interferon β-1a in patients with RRMS (extension phase will continue with 0.5 mg only). The patient had been diagnosed with RRMS according to McDonald criteria 4 years earlier. She had never received any immunomodulatory drugs and had no relevant medical history. She was taking carbamazepine for paroxysmal brainstem symptoms. After 7 days of treatment with the study medication, she noticed intermittent pain in the fingertips of her left hand. The physical examination was normal and a Raynaud phenomenon was suspected. … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif