Annot. bibliography B cell function, myasthenia

Zebardast N, Patwa HS, Novella SP, Goldstein JM. Rituximab in the management of refractory myasthenia gravis Muscle Nerve. 2009 Oct 22. (Yale). Studied six refractory patients. Began rituxan 375 mg/m2 weekly for 6 weeks, then 2 treatments every 20-30 days and decreased prednisone. 8 months later received a second course of 5 infusions weekly. A third course of 4 weekly infusions were given 6 months after that. All patients received 4-6 doses of weekly infusion, with subsequent infusions at 6 months if needed.

Nelson RP Jr, Pascuzzi RM, Kessler K, Walsh LE, Faught PP, Ramanuja S, Pescovitz MD, Loehrer PJ Sr. Rituximab for the treatment of thymoma-associated and de novo myasthenia gravis: 3 cases and review. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. 2009 Jun;10(4):170-7. Review.

Stieglbauer K, Topakian R, Schäffer V, Aichner FT. Rituximab for myasthenia gravis: three case reports and review of the literature.J Neurol Sci. 2009 May 15;280(1-2):120-2. Epub 2009 Mar 9. Review.

Lebrun C, Bourg V, Tieulie N, Thomas P. Successful treatment of refractory generalized myasthenia gravis with rituximab.Eur J Neurol. 2009 Feb;16(2):246-50. Authors followed 6 patients with poor response to immunosuppressive meds. All but one were ACH receptor negative and 3 were anti Musk positive. IVIG did not help. Doses: 375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks After one month steroids were discontinued and anticholinesterase meds decreased. Rituxan cont. every 2 months for six months. Benefit persisted for 2 years of f/u (patient one). Steroids were tapered after the first infusion.

Stübgen JP. B cell-targeted therapy with rituximab and autoimmune neuromuscular disorders. J Neuroimmunol. 2008 Nov 15;204(1-2):1-12. Review.

Illa I, Diaz-Manera J, Rojas-Garcia R, Pradas J, Rey A, Blesa R, Juarez C, Gallardo E.Sustained response to Rituximab in anti-AChR and anti-MuSK positive Myasthenia Gravis patients.J Neuroimmunol. 2008 Sep 15;201-202:90-4. Epub 2008 Jul 23.

Dalakas MC.Invited article: inhibition of B cell functions: implications for neurology.Neurology. 2008 Jun 3;70(23):2252-60. Review.