Trial of intrathecal rituximab in progressive multiple sclerosis patients with evidence of leptomeningeal contrast enhancement.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leptomeningeal inflammation is associated with increased cortical damage and worse clinical outcomes in MS. It may be detected on contrast-enhanced T2-FLAIR imaging as focal leptomeningeal contrast-enhancement (LME).

Objective

To assess the safety of intrathecal (IT) rituximab in progressive MS (PMS) and to assess its effects on LME and CSF biomarkers.

Methods

PMS patients had a screening MRI to detect LME. Participants satisfying eligibility criteria underwent two IT administrations of 25 mg rituximab 2 weeks apart. Follow-up lumbar puncture and MRI were performed at 8 and 24 weeks after the first treatment.

Results

Of 36 patients screened 15 had LME, 11 consented, and 8 received study treatment. Mean age was 56.7 years and number of LME lesions ran

SUBMITTER: Bhargava P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7325522 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature