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Rituximab in refractory and non‐refractory myasthenia: A retrospective multicenter study
Author(s) -
Collongues Nicolas,
Casez Olivier,
Lacour Arnaud,
Tranchant Christine,
Vermersch Patrick,
de Seze Jérôme,
Lebrun Christine
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23412
Subject(s) - refractory (planetary science) , medicine , rituximab , myasthenia gravis , multicenter study , retrospective cohort study , corticosteroid , anesthesia , gastroenterology , surgery , randomized controlled trial , physics , lymphoma , astrobiology
Few data are available about the effect of rituximab (RTX) on refractory (RM) and non‐refractory (NRM) myasthenia. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study involved 13 RM and 7 NRM patients treated with sequential RTX infusions over 2 years, on average. RTX was used as a substitute for corticosteroids in NRM patients. Disability was assessed using the annualized relapse rate (ARR) and Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) scores. Results: RTX induction decreased the ARR from 2.1 to 0.3 ( P < 0.001), and lowered MGFA scores from 5–3b to 4b–0 in RM patients, and from 1.9 to 0.1 ( P < 0.001) and 4b–2b to 3b–0 in NRM patients. No side effects were reported in either group, except for 1 case of spondylodiscitis 1 year after the last RTX infusion. Within a year after RTX induction, complete corticosteroid withdrawal was obtained in 7 RM and 4 NRM patients. Conclusions: RTX is efficacious and well‐tolerated. Its use allows for dose reduction or withdrawal of corticosteroids. Muscle Nerve, 2012