OBJECTIVE: To describe 2 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) receiving long-term treatment with the monoclonal antibody rituximab. The clinical and paraclinical efficacy of rituximab was demonstrated recently in a phase 2 clinical trial in patients with RRMS. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary care university medical center. PATIENTS: Two young patients with highly active RRMS in whom standard therapy had failed before receiving rituximab for up to 48 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relapse rate, clinical disability, and results of magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Both patients tolerated rituximab treatment well and have been clinically stable throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Long-term therapy with rituximab appears safe and effective in some patients with RRMS. Our observation should be confirmed in controlled long-term trials.
OBJECTIVE: To describe 2 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) receiving long-term treatment with the monoclonal antibody rituximab. The clinical and paraclinical efficacy of rituximab was demonstrated recently in a phase 2 clinical trial in patients with RRMS. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary care university medical center. PATIENTS: Two young patients with highly active RRMS in whom standard therapy had failed before receiving rituximab for up to 48 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relapse rate, clinical disability, and results of magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Both patients tolerated rituximab treatment well and have been clinically stable throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Long-term therapy with rituximab appears safe and effective in some patients with RRMS. Our observation should be confirmed in controlled long-term trials.
Authors: Christopher T Harp; Sara Ireland; Laurie S Davis; Gina Remington; Bonnie Cassidy; Petra D Cravens; Olaf Stuve; Amy E Lovett-Racke; Todd N Eagar; Benjamin M Greenberg; Michael K Racke; Lindsay G Cowell; Nitin J Karandikar; Elliot M Frohman; Nancy L Monson Journal: Eur J Immunol Date: 2010-10 Impact factor: 5.532
Authors: Cheryl Nickerson-Nutter; Lioudmila Tchistiakova; Nilufer P Seth; Marion Kasaian; Barbara Sibley; Stephane Olland; Richard Zollner; William A Brady; Kendall M Mohler; Peter Baum; Alan Wahl; Deborah Herber; Yulia Vugmeyster; David Wensel; Neil M Wolfman; Davinder Gill; Mary Collins; Kyri Dunussi-Joannopoulos Journal: Rheumatology (Oxford) Date: 2011-01-21 Impact factor: 7.580