Chronic neuropathy with IgM anti-ganglioside antibodies: lack of long term response to rituximab

Neurology. 2003 Dec 23;61(12):1814-6. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000098996.02934.86.

Abstract

Two patients with chronic motor neuropathy, high antiganglioside antibody (AGA) titers, and a declining response to IV immunoglobulins were treated with rituximab at a standard dose. The drug was well tolerated and effectively eliminated peripheral B cells (CD20+), but AGA titers continued significantly high. No clinical improvement was detected during the 1-year follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / drug therapy*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Progression
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gangliosides / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rituximab
  • Time
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Autoantibodies
  • Gangliosides
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Rituximab