Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative connective tissue disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, there has been a dramatic improvement in several vital concepts of immune pathophysiology underlying MS. Notably, one of the prerequisites to MS development is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Greater attention has been drawn towards promising, innovative immunotherapies in the management and treatment of MS. Whilst there are numerous immunotherapies currently proposed for MS, the B cell depleting therapy that predominantly uses the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as rituximab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab have demonstrated promising clinical benefits by targeting the memory B cells, which are the primary reservoir of EBV latency. Although mAbs have proved beneficial in the treatment of MS, they pose the risk of potential adverse effects. The current systematic review was undertaken to explore the therapeutic role of anti-CD20 therapy and its downsides in the treatment of MS and EBV infection. Clinical trials and prospective and retrospective studies reporting anti-CD20 therapy were carefully reviewed. The initial sections discuss the clinical features of MS, the probable link between EBV and MS, and the role of B cells in MS pathogenesis. Here, we show the potential role of anti-CD20 therapy more of a boon than a bane as the therapy yields more promising results for MS treatment. Nevertheless, the adverse effects could be minimized following a planned therapeutic regimen for treating MS patients.
Keywords: Epstein–Barr virus infections; multiple sclerosis; ocrelizumab; ofatumumab; rituximab.