title: IgM antibody-related polyneuropathies: B-cell depletion chemotherapy using Rituximab.
abstract: Current treatments for anti-GM1 ganglioside or antimyelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG) antibody-associated polyneuropathies are toxic or very costly. In this preliminary study the authors treated five patients with neuropathy and immunoglobulin M antibodies to GM1 ganglioside or MAG by depleting B cells using Rituximab--a monoclonal antibody directed against the B-cell surface membrane marker CD20. Within 3 to 6 months after treatment, all five patients had improved function, significantly increased quantitative strength measurements, and reduced titers of serum autoantibodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pestronk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D000069283:Rituximab