Comparative efficacy of rituximab versus azathioprine in the treatment of MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD)

Abstract

Background: Azathioprine (AZA) and rituximab (RTX) are frequently used drugs in the treatment of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Associated Disease (MOGAD).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety data of AZA and RTX treatments in MOGAD.

Methods: Patients diagnosed according to the 2023 MOGAD diagnostic criteria and receiving AZA or RTX treatment were included in the study.

Results: In 142 patients included in the study, the female/male value was 1.2. The rate of OCB positivity in MOGAD patients was 22.6 %. Patients on RTX had higher EDSS values than patients on AZA. However, the RTX group demonstrated a more pronounced improvement in disability, reflected by a greater negative trend in the ΔEDSS values. The attack-free rate was 78 % in the RTX group and 68 % in the AZA group during their treatment period. Both groups had no difference in the time of the first attack. The main factor affecting the time to first attack was having a higher EDSS at the time of treatment initiation. The survival analysis found that EDSS scores improved significantly in patients treated with RTX.

Conclusion: Although survival analyses for both treatments appear to be similar, using RTX provides better EDSS scores.

Keywords: Azathioprine; Disability; MOGAD; Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disease; Rituximab.