Is rituximab Effective for MS?
An increasing body of evidence from randomized clinical trials and real-world data suggest that rituximab is a highly effective alternative in both relapsing and progressive MS, with a low discontinuation rate, related to a good benefit/risk profile, and a good compliance.
Is rituximab FDA approved for multiple sclerosis?
Rituximab is the first anti-CD20 therapy to be used in MS. It is a chimeric antibody, approved since 1997 for hematological and autoimmune disorders. However, it is not approved for use in MS, but is commonly prescribed as off-label treatment.
What is the most common reason for discontinuing rituximab?
The most common reason for discontinuation was adherence to a study protocol inferring discontinuation of rituximab after an accumulated dose of 2000 mg (36.0%) and the second most common reason was stable disease course (24.7%) (Table 3). Fifty-three patients were off treatment at the date of data censure.
How long can you take rituximab?
Rituxan can provide up to 6 months of symptom improvement from 1 course of treatment (2 infusions given 2 weeks apart). Be sure to talk with your doctor to find out if starting and continuing treatment with Rituxan is right for you.
Is there an alternative to rituximab?
Ofatumumab is a feasible alternative anti-CD20 therapy in patients intolerant of rituximab. Br J Haematol.
How long does RITUXAN suppress immune system?
While plasma cells and existing antibody levels are not affected, depletion of B cells following rituximab decreases humoral immune responses to primary antigens; in addition, as a result of prolonged decrease in MBCs, antibody production to recall antigens is decreased even 6-10 months after treatment (6).
How long does it take to replenish B-cells after rituximab?
Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, causes prompt and nearly complete depletion of peripheral B cells, which do not reappear for approximately 6 months in most patients [1].
What are the long term effects of rituximab?
Heart Problems: Rituxan may cause chest pain, irregular heartbeats, and heart attack. Your healthcare provider may monitor your heart during and after treatment with Rituxan if you have symptoms of heart problems or have a history of heart problems.
How many times can you have rituximab?
Administer RITUXAN as a single-agent every 8 weeks for 12 doses. Following completion of 6-8 cycles of CVP chemotherapy, administer once weekly for 4 doses at 6-month intervals to a maximum of 16 doses.
Is rituximab used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) in Sweden?
In Sweden, off-label use of rituximab in the treatment of MS patients has become common and the Swedish experience has been reported in large retrospective registry studies ( Alping et al., 2016; Salzer et al., 2016b ). Rituximab is given as an intravenous infusion every six months, with the most common single doses for MS being 500 mg or 1000 mg.
How long can you take Rituxan for multiple sclerosis?
Long-term Rituxan Treatment Is Effective and Safe in MS, Study Shows. The approved lymphoma therapy Rituxan (rituximab) has shown promise as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. A new study indicates the Genentech treatment is effective and safe against neurological diseases like MS for up to seven years.
Which anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are currently used for the treatment of MS?
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies currently in use for the treatment of MS are Rituximab (RTX), Ocrelizumab (OCR), Ofatumumab (OFA) and Ublituximab (UTX).
What is Rituximab for RRMS?
Rituximab for RRMS. Home ยป Rituximab for RRMS. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody currently being investigated as a potential therapy for multiple sclerosis. Rituximab is an approved treatment for various types of blood cancer, and is marketed under the name Rituxan (in the U.S.) and MabThera (in Europe).