title: Chronic neuropathy with IgM anti-ganglioside antibodies: lack of long term response to rituximab.
abstract: Two patients with chronic motor neuropathy, high antiganglioside antibody (AGA) titers, and a declining response to IV immunoglobulins were treated with rituximab at a standard dose. The drug was well tolerated and effectively eliminated peripheral B cells (CD20+), but AGA titers continued significantly high. No clinical improvement was detected during the 1-year follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Unit, Hospital de la Sta Creu i St Pau and Institut de Recerca HSCSP, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rojas-García
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gallardo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: de Andrés
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Luna
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Juarez
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Illa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D013995:Time; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D001323:Autoantibodies; D005732:Gangliosides; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D000069283:Rituximab