title: Long-term B-lymphocyte depletion with rituximab in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe 2 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) receiving long-term treatment with the monoclonal antibody rituximab. The clinical and paraclinical efficacy of rituximab was demonstrated recently in a phase 2 clinical trial in patients with RRMS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care university medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two young patients with highly active RRMS in whom standard therapy had failed before receiving rituximab for up to 48 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relapse rate, clinical disability, and results of magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients tolerated rituximab treatment well and have been clinically stable throughout the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term therapy with rituximab appears safe and effective in some patients with RRMS. Our observation should be confirmed in controlled long-term trials.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Medicine Service, Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Stüve
authors.forename: Verena I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Leussink
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hemmer
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Hartung
authors.forename: Til
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menge
authors.forename: Bernd C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Kieseier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000069283:Rituximab; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab