Dimethyl fumarate alters B‐cell memory and cytokine production in MS patients

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of dimethyl fumarate ( DMF ) treatment on B‐cell memory and cytokine production in 18 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis ( RRMS ) using peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained prior to and at 6 months post‐ DMF initiation. We noted a decline in the absolute B‐cell number with DMF treatment, with a preferential depletion of memory B cells and a concurrent increase in naïve B cells. We noted significant reductions in GM ‐ CSF , TNF ‐ α , and IL ‐6 producing B cells with DMF treatment. These effects on the B‐cell compartment may underlie the beneficial effects of DMF in RRMS .