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. 2022 Sep 1;24(1):18-25.
doi: 10.1097/CND.0000000000000420.

Long-Term Remission With Low-Dose Rituximab in Myasthenia Gravis: A Retrospective Study

Juan I Castiglione  1 , Alberto D Rivero, Fabio Barroso, Patricio Brand, Andrea Lautre, Alejandro A Kohler
Affiliations

Long-Term Remission With Low-Dose Rituximab in Myasthenia Gravis: A Retrospective Study

Juan I Castiglione et al. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. .

Abstract

Objetive: Rituximab (RTX) is a therapeutic option, for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) not responding to conventional immunosuppressive treatment. In this cohort, we evaluated long-term efficacy of RTX in the treatment of refractory generalized MG.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in adult patients with refractory generalized MG and at least 24 months of follow-up, between January/2015 and October/2021. The Myasthenia Gravis Status and Treatment Intensity Score was used to assess outcomes, and CD19/CD20+ B-cell counts were monitored.

Results: Sixteen patients with MG (8 antiacetylcholine receptor+ and 8 muscle-specific antikinase+; mean age 45.5 ± 16.2 years) treated with low-dose RTX protocols were included. CD19/CD20 levels remained undetectable 12 months after induction, and no new relapses were observed during follow-up.

Conclusions: Low-dose RTX infusions were sufficient to achieve undetectable CD19/20 cell counts and sustained clinical remission. In low and middle-income countries, the impact of low-dose RTX therapy represents a paradigm shift in decision-making for long-term treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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