Aquaporin-4 antibody titration in NMO patients treated with rituximab: A retrospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We undertook an observational retrospective study to investigate the usefulness of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies (Ab) titration in the management of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) treated with rituximab (RTX) by studying (1) the correlation between AQP4-Ab titer and disease activity, (2) the influence of RTX on antibody levels, and (3) the association between AQP4-Ab levels and responsiveness to RTX.

Methods

A cell-based assay was used for AQP4-Ab titration in 322 serum samples from 7 patients with NMO treated with RTX (median follow-up 65 months), according to a treatment-to-target approach. Serum samples were collected every month following standardized procedures.

Results

(1) In group analysis, AQP4-Ab titers correlated with the disease activity

SUBMITTER: Valentino P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5182057 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature