Repeated low-dose rituximab treatment based on the assessment of circulating B cells in patients with refractory myasthenia gravis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of repeated low-dose rituximab treatment guided by monitoring circulating CD19+ B cells in patients with refractory myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods

Patients with refractory MG who had received rituximab treatment at two teaching hospitals between September 2013 and January 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. The treatment protocol consisted of an induction treatment with low-dose rituximab (375 mg/m² twice with a 2-week interval), followed by retreatment (375 mg/m² once). Retreatment was based on either circulating CD19+ B-cell repopulation or clinical relapse. Outcome measures included the MG Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification and postintervention status, p

SUBMITTER: Choi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6751534 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature