Peripheral neuropathies during biologic therapies

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathies should be recognized as the adverse effects of biological agents, especially anti-TNF agents. However, no solid clinical databases for biological agent-associated peripheral neuropathies (BAPN) have been established in Japan. Here we report two cases of peripheral neuropathy associated with anti-TNF agents. One was peroneal motor neuropathy. The other case was chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. In addition, we summarize the previous reports on BAPN and discuss their prevalence rate, pathogenesis and management.

Keywords:

• Biological agents
• Peripheral neuropathy

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Moritoh Inouchi, Department of neurology, The Tazuke-Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital (Osaka) for valuable comments on neurological evaluations.

Funding

This study was supported in part by research grants from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharmaceutical Company (Osaka, Japan), from Teijin Pharma Limited (Osaka, Japan), and from AstraZeneca K.K. (Osaka, Japan).

Conflict of interest

None.