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Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)

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Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare viral infection of the brain that develops rapidly and is typically fatal. When an individual contracts PML, the white matter of his/her brain becomes severely swollen in multiple locations.

PML cases that have the fastest onset are known as acute leukoencephalopathy. These are the most serious instances of PML.

While patients with immune system deficiencies have the highest risk of developing acute leukoencephalopathy, other factors that can make patients susceptible to contracting PML include:

• Contracting the JC virus (The John Cunningham virus is a disease that can cause multiple tumors in various locations throughout the body, including the brain)
• Having HIV or AIDS
• Taking immunosuppressive medications, such as organ transplant drugs or Raptiva

Raptiva and PML

Raptiva, generically known as efalizumab, is an injectable medication prescribed to treat psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder that causes red, scaly patches (plaques) to develop on the skin.

Unfortunately, however, Raptiva has been found to cause life-threatening complications, including:

• invasive fungal disease
• meningitis
• PML
• sepsis

Given the severity of these Raptiva side effects, on Oct. 16, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that Genentech, the maker of Raptiva, include a "black box" warning on the drug's label. Black box warnings are the most serious level of FDA warnings, as they highlight a medication's potential to cause potentially fatal complications.

PML Symptoms

Symptoms of PML can include:

• difficulty speaking
• extreme fatigue
• lack of coordination
• mental impairment
• paralysis that affects one side of the body (meniparesis)
• vision problems, especially blindness in half of the visual field in each eye

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose PML by performing imaging tests, including CT scans and MRIs to create an image of the brain's white matter. To then determine whether the symptoms are being caused by another condition (such as multiple sclerosis) neurologists will perform tests on the cerebrospinal fluid.

What to do Following a PML Diagnosis

Patients will need immediate medical care. Tragically, PML typically causes death in less than a year (usually within six months).

PML patients who have taken the Raptiva drug – or families of Raptiva patients who have died from PML – should meet with a personal injury lawyer to:

• Find out if they have a case against Genentech
• Learn more about the process of compiling and winning a Raptiva lawsuit
• Get information about settlements in cases similar to their own
• Decide whether they want to start an individual or class-action case

By pursuing a Raptiva lawsuit, affected individuals and families can get compensated for:

• burial and funeral costs
• hospital bills
• lost wages
• pain and suffering
• permanent inability to work
• treatment costs

If You Have Been Injured by Raptiva

Have you or a loved one been injured after taking Raptiva? If so, contact us to speak with an experienced Raptiva attorney who specializes in drug recall litigation & lawsuits. Let us help you win the compensation you need and deserve.