Rituximab as a sole steroid-sparing agent in generalized myasthenia gravis: Long-term outcomes.
COVID-19
Long-term
Myasthenia gravis
Refractory
Rituximab
Journal
Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
ISSN: 1590-3478
Titre abrégé: Neurol Sci
Pays: Italy
ID NLM: 100959175
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
13 Oct 2023
13 Oct 2023
Historique:
received:
14
07
2023
accepted:
16
09
2023
medline:
13
10
2023
pubmed:
13
10
2023
entrez:
13
10
2023
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Rituximab, a B-cell depleting monoclonal antibody, represents an option for the treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis (MG). Its use is more established in muscle-specific tyrosine kinase positive (MuSK +) patients, while its role in managing acetylcholine receptor positive (AChR +), or double seronegative (DSN) patients, remains less clear. This study evaluates the long-term effectiveness and safety of rituximab in MG of various serotypes. We conducted an open-label study of MG patients receiving rituximab. Adults with generalized refractory MG, either anti-AChR + or DSN, and anti-MuSK + , refractory or not, who had follow-up > 12 months were selected. Change in quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score at last follow-up, compared with baseline was a primary outcome, as well as factors affecting response to treatment. Secondary outcomes included, long-term safety, the steroid-sparing effect and relapse rates post-rituximab. Thirty patients (16 anti-AChR + , 6 anti-MuSK + , 8 DSN) followed for a mean of 33.3 months were included. Mean scores pre-rituximab compared to last follow-up significantly decreased (p < 0.001), from 11 ± 4.1 to 4.3 ± 3.8, and from 1.9 to 0.3 regarding QMG and relapse rate per patient/year, respectively, while in 93.1% a daily steroid dose ≤ 10 mg was achieved. Antibody status was the only factor independently influencing several endpoints. Throughout the study period no crises or deaths occurred. The present study supports that rituximab is an effective and well tolerated treatment for refractory anti-AChR + and DSN MG patients, while anti-MuSK + remains the group experiencing the greater benefits.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Rituximab, a B-cell depleting monoclonal antibody, represents an option for the treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis (MG). Its use is more established in muscle-specific tyrosine kinase positive (MuSK +) patients, while its role in managing acetylcholine receptor positive (AChR +), or double seronegative (DSN) patients, remains less clear. This study evaluates the long-term effectiveness and safety of rituximab in MG of various serotypes.
METHODS
METHODS
We conducted an open-label study of MG patients receiving rituximab. Adults with generalized refractory MG, either anti-AChR + or DSN, and anti-MuSK + , refractory or not, who had follow-up > 12 months were selected. Change in quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score at last follow-up, compared with baseline was a primary outcome, as well as factors affecting response to treatment. Secondary outcomes included, long-term safety, the steroid-sparing effect and relapse rates post-rituximab.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Thirty patients (16 anti-AChR + , 6 anti-MuSK + , 8 DSN) followed for a mean of 33.3 months were included. Mean scores pre-rituximab compared to last follow-up significantly decreased (p < 0.001), from 11 ± 4.1 to 4.3 ± 3.8, and from 1.9 to 0.3 regarding QMG and relapse rate per patient/year, respectively, while in 93.1% a daily steroid dose ≤ 10 mg was achieved. Antibody status was the only factor independently influencing several endpoints. Throughout the study period no crises or deaths occurred.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The present study supports that rituximab is an effective and well tolerated treatment for refractory anti-AChR + and DSN MG patients, while anti-MuSK + remains the group experiencing the greater benefits.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37831214
doi: 10.1007/s10072-023-07082-3
pii: 10.1007/s10072-023-07082-3
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© 2023. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.
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