BACKGROUND:

Daclizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody specific for the interleukin 2 receptor α chain, reduces clinical and magnetic resonance imaging disease activity in patients with adult-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) as monotherapy or add-on therapy with interferon.

OBJECTIVE:

To report the use of daclizumab in pediatric-onset MS.

DESIGN:

Case series.

SETTING:

Two comprehensive pediatric MS centers.

PATIENTS:

Seven patients with pediatric-onset MS with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging disease activity despite first-line disease-modifying therapy.

INTERVENTION:

Intravenous daclizumab, 1 mg/kg monthly.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Annualized relapse rates, Expanded Disability Status Scale scores, contrast-enhancing lesions, and adverse effects.

RESULTS:

Treatment with daclizumab, primarily combined with interferon, was associated with reductions in annualized relapse rates and contrast-enhancing lesions and with reduction or stabilization of Expanded Disability Status Scale scores in each patient. However, 4 patients had relapses and new contrast-enhancing lesions during daclizumab treatment. No significant adverse effects occurred.

CONCLUSION:

Daclizumab may be a safe and at least partially effective treatment option for patients with pediatric-onset MS with disease activity despite first-line disease-modifying therapy.