title: Rituximab stabilizes multifocal motor neuropathy increasingly less responsive to IVIg.
abstract: The authors report a patient with anti-GM(1) antibody-negative multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) who was increasingly less responsive to IV immunoglobulins (IVIgs). Five yearly courses of the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab were well tolerated and extended the interval of IVIg administration from 7 to 12 days (corresponding to 42% reduction of IVIg) during this period. Rituximab may be a benefit for patients with MMN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. srueegg@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Stephan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rüegg
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fuhr
authors.forename: Andreas J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Steck
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D020127:Recovery of Function; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D000069283:Rituximab; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a