Inhibition of Complement Activation (Eculizumab) in Guillain-Barre Syndrome Study

Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is the most frequent cause of acute neuromuscular weakness in the Western World and can occur at any age. GBS is a rpadily progressive 'inflammatory' disorder of the perihperal nerves often leading to sever paresis of the limbs. Most GBS patients also have sensory disturbances (tingling or dull feeling) and pain. Some patients also have double vision or problems with swallowing. GBS mau also involve the respiratory muscles, leading to insufficient ventilation and admission to an intensive care unit. GBS pateints have a vairable prognosis; 20-30% require mechnical ventilation for a period ranging from weeks to months, 20% are unable to walk after 6 months nad 3-5% dies. Progression of weakness in GBS is usually rapid and reaches its peak within 4 weeks in the majority of patients, but many develop their maximum deficit within 2 weeks. Thereafter, the patients have a variable prognosis.

GBS is a treatable disorder. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) 2g/kg administered in 5 days was shown to be effective when administered within the first two weeks after onset of symptoms, and is considered the treatment of choice by most experts in the field. Although the standard treatment for GBS is a single course of IVIg (2g/kg administered in 5 days), many patients fails to recover abd remain with substantial disability. Patients with GBS and especially those with a poor prognosis potentially may benefit from more powerful abd when possible a more mechanistically rational therapy.

Recent experimental evidence suggests that complement activation palys a crucial role in the development of neuromuscular weakness in GBS making complement inhibitors and regulators attracive therapeutic targets. Our hypothesis is that Eculizumab, with its function as a complement inhibitor, will be very effective in preventing progression of weakness in patients with GBS.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged \>18 years diagnosed with GBS according to NINDS diagnostic criteria
* Onset of weakness due to GBS is less than 2 weeks ago
* Patients who are unable to walk unaided for \>10 metres (grade \>3 on GBS disability scale)
* Patients who are being considered for or already on IVIg treatment
* First dose of eculizumab must be started within 2 weeks from onset of weakness and any time during the IVIg treatment period
* Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \<18 years
* Patients who are being considered for, or already on, plasma exchange
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Patients show clear clinical evidence of a polyneuropahty caused by e.g. diabetes mellitus (except mild sensory), alcoholism, severe vitamin deficiency, and porphyria
* Patients received immunosuppressive treatment (e.g. azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycofenolatemofetil, tacrolimus, sirolimus or \> 20 mg prednisolone daily) during the last month
* Patients known to have severe concurrent disease, like malignancy, severe cardiovascular disease, AIDS, severe COPD, TB
* Inability to comply with study related procedures or appointments during 6 months
* Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator could increase the patient's risk by participating in the study or confound the outcome of the study
* Related to the administration of eculizumab:

Unresoled Neisseria meningitidisinfection of history of meningococcal infection Unsuitable for antibiotic prophylaxis (e.g due to allergy) Known hypersensitivity to eculizumab, murine proteins or to any of the excipients Known or suspected hereditary complement deficiencies Women of child-bearing potential who are unwilling to use effective contraception during treatment and for 5 months after treatment is completed.