title: [Beneficial effects of rituximab in a case of anti-myelin antibody-associated neuropathy].
abstract: We report here in a 61-year-old woman in whom sensory disturbance predominantly affecting the distal portion of the limbs progressed over the course of 1 year. Blood tests showed IgM monoclonal gammopathy as well as the presence of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibody. Nerve conduction studies revealed significant prolongation of distal latency, and sural nerve biopsy showed IgM deposition on the myelin sheath. She was diagnosed as suffering anti-MAG neuropathy. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy proved to be ineffective and her symptoms progressed. Therefore, rituximab was administered and the sensory disturbance improved. Although no detailed studies on rituximab therapy for anti-MAG neuropathy have been reported in Japan, the present findings suggest that rituximab may be more effective than immunoglobulin therapy and other conventional therapies that have been used for autoimmune neuropathies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The Jikei University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimoyama
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yaguchi
authors.forename: Renpei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sengoku
authors.forename: Hiromasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuno
authors.forename: Hidetaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitsumura
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Soichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mochio
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D037102:Lectins; C115082:MAG protein, human; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D000069283:Rituximab