title: Response of myasthenia gravis to rituximab in a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
abstract: Myasthenia gravis is a B-cell-mediated autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness and fatigability of skeletal muscles. The underlying defect is an autoantibody-mediated attack on the acetylcholine receptors (AchRs) at the neuromuscular junction. Rituximab is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody indicated for treatment of patients with low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Based on its potential for elimination of auto-reactive B-cell clones, rituximab may have a role in the management of some autoimmune disorders. We report a patient with B-cell, follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a long-standing history of myasthenia gravis and the favorable impact of rituximab on both disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, VA Medical Center, Syracuse, New York, USA. Ajeet.Gajra@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Ajeet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gajra
authors.forename: Neerja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vajpayee
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Grethlein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D000069283:Rituximab; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide