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Arch Neurol — Abstract: Repeated Treatment With Rituximab Based on the Assessment of Peripheral Circulating Memory B Cells in Patients With Relapsing Neuromyelitis Optica Over 2 Years, November 2011, Kim et al. 68 (11): 1412

Repeated Treatment With Rituximab Based on the Assessment of Peripheral Circulating Memory B Cells in Patients With Relapsing Neuromyelitis Optica Over 2 Years

Su-Hyun Kim, MD; Woojun Kim, MD, PhD; Xue Feng Li, MD, MSc; In-Ja Jung, RN; Ho Jin Kim, MD, PhD

Arch Neurol.?2011;68(11):1412-1420. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2011.154

Objective? To evaluate the efficacy and safety of repeated rituximab treatment based on the assessment of peripheral circulating memory B cells over 24 months in patients with relapsing neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Design? Prospective open-label study.

Setting? Institutional referral center for multiple sclerosis.

Patients? Thirty patients with relapsing NMO or NMO spectrum disorder.

Intervention? Treatment protocol of rituximab consisted of an induction therapy (375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks or 1000 mg infused twice, with a 2-week interval between the infusions) followed by maintenance therapy. The maintenance therapy was repeated treatment with rituximab (375 mg/m2, once) whenever the frequency of reemerging CD27+ memory B cells was more than 0.05% in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometric analysis.

Main Outcome Measures? Annualized relapse rate, disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score), anti–aquaporin 4 antibody level, and safety of rituximab treatment.

Results? Of 30 patients, 28 showed a marked reduction in relapse rate while taking rituximab over 24 months. The relapse rate was reduced significantly, by 88%, and 70% of patients became relapse-free over 24 months. Disability either improved or stabilized in 97% of patients. Anti–aquaporin 4 antibody levels declined significantly following treatment with rituximab, consistent with the clinical response and the effect on CD27+ memory B cells. Repeated treatment with rituximab was generally well tolerated, and no clinically relevant adverse event leading to discontinuation of treatment was observed.

Conclusion? Repeated treatment with rituximab appeared to produce consistent and sustained efficacy over 24 months with good tolerability in patients with NMO.

Author Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.

Read More: Arch Neurol — Abstract: Repeated Treatment With Rituximab Based on the Assessment of Peripheral Circulating Memory B Cells in Patients With Relapsing Neuromyelitis Optica Over 2 Years, November 2011, Kim et al. 68 (11): 1412