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Campath is approved for use by the FDA in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, but it is not approved for use in people with multiple sclerosis because it can lead to death in these patients.
In multiple sclerosis patients, Campath has led to an illness called ITP, or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, which kills platelets that are necessary to make blood coagulate. Otherwise, without platelets, patients bleed to death.
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia occurs when mature lymphocytes, or white blood cells, become cancerous and begin to outnumber normal cells. B-cells are responsible for attacking bacteria and toxins in the body.
Campath kills B-cells that are infected. However, it also kills normal cells and T-cells, which are white blood cells that are fighting the bad cells as well. This makes a person’s immune system much more vulnerable to disease and illness, because much of the defense mechanisms, the white blood cells, have been destroyed. Pneumonia and blood infections are increasingly common.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that is still being extensively researched. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease (a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks itself) that affects the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
People with multiple sclerosis will experience periods of flare-ups, when the disease gets worse, and periods of remission, when conditions do not progress. Although no one is sure why multiple sclerosis occurs, factors like genetics and environmental triggers like viruses, trauma and harmful toxins may contribute to the disease.
Campath leads to ITP in multiple sclerosis patients, causing destruction of blood platelets that are necessary to make blood clot. Otherwise, without platelets people can bleed to death. Signs of ITP include:
- excessive bleeding
- no scabbing
- easily bruising
If you are injured by Campath, contact a personal injury attorney immediately.