title: CD19 mRNA quantification improves rituximab treatment-to-target approach: a proof of concept study.
abstract: We compared pre-amplification (PA) RT-PCR blood CD19 mRNA quantification with flow cytometry (FC), to personalize rituximab re-treatment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) patients. 47 blood samples from 3 NMOSDs patients were studied. PA-RT-PCR quantified CD19 in all samples, and a positivity threshold was defined, whereas CD19+ B cells were under threshold in 31/47 samples by FC. In all samples where CD19+ B cells were above FC threshold, they resulted above the PA-RT-PCR threshold. CD19 mRNA was above threshold in 8 other samples, resulted negative by FC, and preceded the FC positivity in 7/8 samples by 1-3 months, showing major sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurobiology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CRESM), Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Clinical Neurology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CReSM), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga,Orbassano, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: fabiana.marnetto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marnetto
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurobiology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CRESM), Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Clinical Neurology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CReSM), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga,Orbassano, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: letiziagranieri@libero.it.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Granieri
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurobiology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CRESM), Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Clinical Neurology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CReSM), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga,Orbassano, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: paolaval81@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valentino
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CReSM), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga,Orbassano, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: m.capobianco@alice.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pathology Unit, Laboratory of Clinical and Microbiological Analyses, University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: m.pautasso@sanluigi.piemonte.it.
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pautasso
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurobiology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CRESM), Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Clinical Neurology Unit, Regional Referring Multiple Sclerosis Centre (CReSM), University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga,Orbassano, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.bertolotto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertolotto
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: CD19+ B cells; Flow cytometry; Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders; Pre-amplification-real time-PCR; Rituximab re-treatment