title: Rituximab and multiple sclerosis.
abstract: B lymphocytes seem to have a fundamental role in multiple sclerosis, acting as sensors, coordinators, and regulators of the immune response. Furthermore, they are important in activating T cells and they can mediate tissue injury through diverse mechanisms. Such findings have important therapeutic implications in autoimmune central nervous system diseases in a fashion similar to other autoimmune processes. The best known monoclonal antibody targeting B cells that has been used as a novel therapy for various autoimmune conditions, as well as multiple sclerosis, is rituximab. This review summarizes the available data on the role of B cell in multiple sclerosis and further reports on current knowledge on the B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibody rituximab, its mechanism of action, and its efficacy on multiple sclerosis. Data presented were categorized in 3 groups based on the nature of data presented (radiological, clinical, and immunological data). Both case-control studies and case reports were included, while table classification was in chronological order.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kitsos
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsiodras
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stamboulis
authors.forename: Konstantine I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Voumvourakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab