title: Variable results after rituximab in neuromyelitis optica.
abstract: Our objective was to assess the efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). We conducted a retrospective review of cases personally treated by the authors. We identified nine subjects meeting criteria for either NMO or recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) who were treated with RTX and documented their clinical course. Six of the nine subjects continued to have relapses after RTX treatment. RTX was the first immunosuppressive treatment used after diagnosis in five subjects, and four of these continued to have relapses. We conclude that outcomes after RTX treatment of NMO are inconsistent. The observed variability may reflect differences in disease activity between individuals, differences in disease activity over time, or differences in the underlying immunopathogenesis of NMO. More effective treatments are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. John.w.lindsey@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lindsey
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Meulmester
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Brod
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab