Outcomes after single-cycle rituximab monotherapy in patients with anti-MAG polyneuropathy: A bi-center experience with an average follow-up of 11 years

Rituximab is efficacious in myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) polyneuropathy, but the question on timing of retreatments is open. We studied 21 anti-MAG polyneuropathy patients who responded to a first cycle of rituximab, were followed-up for an average of 11.2 years, and were retreated only when...

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Published in:Journal of neuroimmunology 2019-12, Vol.337, p.577081-577081, Article 577081
Main Authors: Benedetti, L., Garnero, M., Demichelis, C., Grandis, M., Briani, C., Beltramini, S., Bellucci, M., Prada, V., Massa, F., Gastaldi, M., Schenone, A., Franciotta, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-MAG polyneuropathy
BAFF
Biomarker
Long-term follow-up
Rituximab
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Summary:Rituximab is efficacious in myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) polyneuropathy, but the question on timing of retreatments is open. We studied 21 anti-MAG polyneuropathy patients who responded to a first cycle of rituximab, were followed-up for an average of 11.2 years, and were retreated only when relapsing. Baseline serum B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) levels were measured. Clinical improvements lasted on average 6 years, and as many as 71% of the patients resulted long-lasting responders. Severity of disease and high serum BAFF levels (cut-off ≥860 pg/mL for relapse risk) at onset seemed to predict worse prognosis. Measurements of these variables could help deal with the issue of maintenance rituximab therapy in MAG polyneuropathy. [Display omitted]
ISSN:0165-5728
1872-8421
DOI:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.577081