title: Peripheral B cell depletion and central proinflammatory cytokine reduction following repeated intrathecal administration of rituximab in progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: B cells and/or the enhanced inflammatory milieu in the subarachnoid space are supposed to have a role in cortical pathology of progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS). The efficacy of intravenous rituximab to deplete circulating B cells is remarkable in MS, and its intrathecal delivery could target compartmentalized inflammation in PMS. We describe the central and peripheral effects of repeated intrathecal rituximab administrations in a patient with severe PMS. Peripheral CD20+ B cells were reduced, while oligoclonal bands were unaffected. Several central proinflammatory cytokines, and markers of neurodegeneration were markedly reduced. Central B cells modulation should be investigated in PMS.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Università Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia/Centro Europeo per la Ricerca sul Cervello (CERC), 00143, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Studer
authors.affiliation: Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Università Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia/Centro Europeo per la Ricerca sul Cervello (CERC), 00143, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Università Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia/Centro Europeo per la Ricerca sul Cervello (CERC), 00143, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.affiliation: Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Università Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia/Centro Europeo per la Ricerca sul Cervello (CERC), 00143, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buttari
authors.affiliation: Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Università Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia/Centro Europeo per la Ricerca sul Cervello (CERC), 00143, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: centonze@uniroma2.it.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Centonze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: B lymphocytes; CD20; Neurodegeneration