PML Facts
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PML - or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy - is a devastating disease that generally leads to permanent neurological damage, severe disability, or death.
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PML is caused by reactivation of the JC virus, which is quite common in the general population but almost always kept in check by healthy immune systems.
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If a person's immune system is weakened by either disease or immunosuppressant medication, JC virus may replicate and lead to PML.​
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There is no cure for PML, and making a diagnosis is difficult.
PREVENTION is the best defense against PML.
Who is at Risk for PML
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Most PML cases today are linked to medications used to treat multiple sclerosis and a variety of cancers. A comprehensive list of PML-linked treatments can be found in the table below.
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PML can also result from immune suppression caused by HIV/AIDS, leukemias, and other immunocompromising conditions.
Medications Linked to PML
All drugs listed have a PML warning on their labels, and gray shading indicates drugs with Black Box Warnings, the strongest warning from the FDA. Tables last updated on 9/16/2022. Please note that some PML-linked treatments may not be represented in these tables.