Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine
Babol University of Medical Sciences
Tue, Mar 18, 2025
[Archive]
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2020)
Caspian J Intern Med 2020, 11(2): 155-162 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Seyed Ahadi M, Naser Moghadasi A, Asgari N, Sahraian M A. Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab in patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A prospective observation in Iranian Cases.. Caspian J Intern Med 2020; 11 (2) :155-162
URL: http://caspjim.com/article-1-1877-en.html
URL: http://caspjim.com/article-1-1877-en.html
Multiple Sclerosis Research Center; Neuroscience institute; Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran; Iran , sahraian1350@yahoo.com
Abstract: (5358 Views)
Background: Rituximab has been used successfully in the recent years for treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). However, a uniform treatment protocol for maintenance therapy and the best interval for evaluation and retreatment have not been postulated. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of rituximab treatment as second line therapy, in Iranian patients with refractory NMOSD, based on annualized relapse rate (ARR) and expanded disability status scale (EDSS).
Methods: In this prospective before-after study, a total of 18 patients were treated with a loading dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2 weekly in 4 consecutive weeks). Flow cytometric determination of CD19+ B cell in peripheral blood sample was carried every 6 weeks and patients were re-treated based on B cell repopulation with a single dose of 375 mg/m2. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate the ARR and EDSS before and after treatment. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the 18 patients, 10 (55.5%) were relapse-free during the period of follow up. The EDSS scores were reduced in nine (50%) patients and stable in the remaining nine (50%). The mean EDSS score before and after treatment were 4.1±0.4 and 3.7±0.3, respectively, which was statistically significant. There was also a statistically significant reduction in median ARR after treatment (1.48 (range 0.47-5) vs. 0 (range 0-2)). Rituximab administration did not have significant adverse effect in 94% of patients.
Conclusion: Repeated treatment with Rituximab is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in refractory NMOSD.
Methods: In this prospective before-after study, a total of 18 patients were treated with a loading dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2 weekly in 4 consecutive weeks). Flow cytometric determination of CD19+ B cell in peripheral blood sample was carried every 6 weeks and patients were re-treated based on B cell repopulation with a single dose of 375 mg/m2. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate the ARR and EDSS before and after treatment. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the 18 patients, 10 (55.5%) were relapse-free during the period of follow up. The EDSS scores were reduced in nine (50%) patients and stable in the remaining nine (50%). The mean EDSS score before and after treatment were 4.1±0.4 and 3.7±0.3, respectively, which was statistically significant. There was also a statistically significant reduction in median ARR after treatment (1.48 (range 0.47-5) vs. 0 (range 0-2)). Rituximab administration did not have significant adverse effect in 94% of patients.
Conclusion: Repeated treatment with Rituximab is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in refractory NMOSD.
Keywords: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders, Rituximab, CD19+ B cell, EDSS, Annualized Relapse Rate
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Neurology
Received: 2019/05/3 | Accepted: 2019/12/28 | Published: 2020/04/22
Received: 2019/05/3 | Accepted: 2019/12/28 | Published: 2020/04/22
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
