Chronic neuropathy with IgM anti-ganglioside antibodies: lack of long term response to rituximab.
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.
Rojas-García
R
R
Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Unit, Hospital de la Sta Creu i St Pau and Institut de Recerca HSCSP, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Gallardo
E
E
de Andrés
I
I
de Luna
N
N
Juarez
C
C
Sánchez
P
P
Illa
I
I
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
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D001323:Autoantibodies; D005732:Gangliosides; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D000069283:Rituximab