Abstract
Eight patients with worsening neuromyelitis optica were treated with rituximab to achieve B cell depletion. Treatment was well tolerated. Six of eight patients were relapse free and median attack rate declined from 2.6 attacks/patient/year to 0 attacks/patient/year (p = 0.0078). Seven of eight patients experienced substantial recovery of neurologic function over 1 year of average follow-up. The pretreatment median Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 7.5, and at follow-up examination was 5.5 (p = 0.013).
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Disability Evaluation
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Female
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Humans
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Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage*
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Immunologic Factors / adverse effects
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Lymphocyte Count
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Male
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Myelitis, Transverse / drug therapy
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Myelitis, Transverse / immunology
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Myelitis, Transverse / physiopathology
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Neuromyelitis Optica / drug therapy*
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Neuromyelitis Optica / immunology
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Neuromyelitis Optica / physiopathology
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Optic Nerve / drug effects
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Optic Nerve / immunology
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Optic Nerve / physiopathology
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Optic Neuritis / drug therapy
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Optic Neuritis / immunology
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Optic Neuritis / physiopathology
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Recovery of Function / drug effects
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Recovery of Function / immunology
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Rituximab
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Secondary Prevention
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Spinal Cord / drug effects
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Spinal Cord / immunology
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Spinal Cord / physiopathology
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Immunologic Factors
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Rituximab