Rituximab is a safe, efficient and off-label drug in treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) but is also approved in NMOSD.
100 patients entered the 2-year rituximab cohort study in our center, of whom 20 were males and 80 females. The mean age was 36. Out of the 100 patients, 58 were diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 33 with secondary progressive MS (SPMS), 4 with primary progressive MS (PPMS), 3 with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), 1 with recurrent isolated optic neuritis (RION) and 1 with chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy (CRION). Rituximab 500-1000mg was prescribed every 6 months. 16 patients were treatment-naïve. Rituximab was discontinued in 9 patients for pregnancy planning or other reason. Five continued to receive their infusions in other centers.
80% of our patients were relapse-free during these 2 years. Annual relapse rate was reduced by 85% in multiple sclerosis patients. 47% had a stable Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 34% had improved EDSS and 17% had progression of their disability. Patients with other disorders (NMOSD, RION and CRION) were stable with no evidence of relapse or progression. 88% experienced infusion-reactions as acute advere events and 51% had delayed adverse events. All adverse events were not serious.
Rituximab is a safe and efficient drug in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
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© 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc.
