Rituximab treatment in primary angiitis of the central nervous system

Shreeya Patel; Laura Ross; Shereen Oon; Mandana Nikpour

doi:10.1111/imj.13814

Rituximab treatment in primary angiitis of the central nervous system

Intern Med J. 2018 Jun;48(6):724-727. doi: 10.1111/imj.13814.

Authors

Shreeya Patel¹, Laura Ross^{1

2}, Shereen Oon^{1

2}, Mandana Nikpour^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 29898271
DOI: 10.1111/imj.13814

Abstract

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is a rare autoimmune vasculitis affecting the brain and spinal cord. Treatment with biological agents has revolutionised the treatment of many rheumatic conditions but there is scant literature regarding the use of biological agents in PACNS. We present three cases of PACNS treated with rituximab, including two cases of relapsed disease, and a literature review suggesting a role for rituximab in this condition.

Keywords: primary angiitis of the central nervous system; rituximab; vasculitis.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Brain / diagnostic imaging
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Male
Middle Aged
Recurrence
Rituximab / therapeutic use*
Treatment Outcome
Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / diagnostic imaging
Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / drug therapy*

Substances

Rituximab

Supplementary concepts

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system