Long-term safety of rituximab induced peripheral B-cell depletion in autoimmune neurological diseases.

ABSTRACT:

Background

B-cells play a pivotal role in several autoimmune diseases, including patients with immune-mediated neurological disorders (PIMND), such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO), multiple sclerosis (MS), and myasthenia gravis (MG). Targeting B-cells has been an effective approach in ameliorating both central and peripheral autoimmune diseases. However, there is a paucity of literature on the safety of continuous B-cell depletion over a long period of time.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the long-term safety, incidence of infections, and malignancies in subjects receiving continuous therapy with a B-cell depleting agent rituximab over at least 3 years or longer.

Methods

This was a retrospective study involving PIMND who received continuous cycles of rit

SUBMITTER: Memon AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5757948 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature