[Beneficial effects of rituximab in a case of anti-myelin antibody-associated neuropathy]

Rinsho Shinkeigaku. 2011 May;51(5):345-9. doi: 10.5692/clinicalneurol.51.345.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We report here in a 61-year-old woman in whom sensory disturbance predominantly affecting the distal portion of the limbs progressed over the course of 1 year. Blood tests showed IgM monoclonal gammopathy as well as the presence of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibody. Nerve conduction studies revealed significant prolongation of distal latency, and sural nerve biopsy showed IgM deposition on the myelin sheath. She was diagnosed as suffering anti-MAG neuropathy. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy proved to be ineffective and her symptoms progressed. Therefore, rituximab was administered and the sensory disturbance improved. Although no detailed studies on rituximab therapy for anti-MAG neuropathy have been reported in Japan, the present findings suggest that rituximab may be more effective than immunoglobulin therapy and other conventional therapies that have been used for autoimmune neuropathies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Lectins / immunology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Lectins
  • MAG protein, human
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Rituximab