科研之友
微信
新浪微博
Facebook
分享链接
摘要
IMPORTANCE A previous 2-year analysis of repeated rituximab treatment in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) revealed significant improvements in relapse rates and disability. We report the findings from the longest follow-up of rituximab treatment in NMO, which provide reassurance regarding the long-term efficacy and safety of rituximab in NMO. OBJECTIVE To report the results of rituximab treatment in patients with relapsing NMO or NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) for a median of 60 months. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective case series in an institutional referral center for multiple sclerosis, including 30 patients with relapsing NMO or NMOSD. INTERVENTIONS After induction therapy, a single infusion of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)) as maintenance therapy was administered whenever the frequency of reemerging CD27(+) memory B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as measured with flow cytometry, exceeded 0.05% in the first 2 years and 0.1% thereafter. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Annualized relapse rate (ARR), disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score), change in anti-aquaporin 4 antibody, and safety of rituximab treatment. RESULTS Of 30 patients, 26 (87%) exhibited a marked reduction in ARR over 5 years (mean [SD] pretreatment vs posttreatment ARR, 2.4 [1.5] vs 0.3 [1.0]). Eighteen patients (60%) became relapse free after rituximab treatment. In 28 patients (93%), the disability was either improved or stabilized after rituximab treatment. No serious adverse events leading to discontinuation were observed during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Repeated treatment with rituximab in patients with NMOSD over a 5-period, using an individualized dosing schedule according to the frequency of reemerging CD27(+) memory B cells, leads to a sustained clinical response with no new adverse events.
- 出版日期2013-9
