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. 2016 Apr:26:168-70.
doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.08.033. Epub 2015 Dec 15.

Rapid exacerbation of neuromyelitis optica after rituximab treatment

Yongqiang Dai  1 , Tingting Lu  1 , Yuge Wang  1 , Ling Fang  1 , Rui Li  1 , Allan G Kermode  2 , Wei Qiu  3
Affiliations

Rapid exacerbation of neuromyelitis optica after rituximab treatment

Yongqiang Dai et al. J Clin Neurosci. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Studies have shown the efficacy of immunosuppressants against neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Rituximab is recommended as an off-label prescription to treat refractory NMO. However, we describe two such patients who were suboptimally responsive to rituximab and whose symptoms worsened after treatment. Our cautionary cases highlight that in a small proportion of patients with refractory NMO, rituximab may either fail or induce rapid relapse of NMO. This suggests we need to consider new treatment strategies for refractory NMO.

Keywords: Neuromyelitis optica; Relapse; Rituximab; Therapy.

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