title: Rituximab in the treatment of polyneuropathy associated with anti-MAG antibodies.
abstract: No causative or curative therapy exists for the polyneuropathy associated with antibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG). Rituximab is a mouse-human chimeric antibody that specifically eliminates B-cells and B-cell precursors. Preliminary results suggest a beneficial effect on antibody-dependent autoimmune diseases. Nine patients with an anti-MAG-associated IgM polyneuropathy received rituximab once weekly for 4 weeks. In all patients, the number of B-cells in the peripheral blood declined below levels of detection, and the IgM levels decreased between 35% and 82% (median, 58%). In eight patients, lowering of the anti-MAG antibody titers of more than 52% was observed. Clinical status improved in six patients, remained stable in two, and worsened in one. The motor nerve conduction velocity improved by at least 10% in one ulnar nerve in seven patients and worsened in two. Rituximab was well tolerated and is a promising new drug in the treatment of patients with anti-MAG-associated polyneuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renaud
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gregor
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fuhr
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: Günther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deuschl
authors.forename: Alois
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gratwohl
authors.forename: Andreas J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Steck
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / Q000276:immunology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D000069283:Rituximab