The drug's efficacy differs in treating myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody–associated versus aquaporin 4 antibody-associated disease.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) includes antibodies to aquaporin 4 (AQP4) or myelin oligodendrocyte protein (MOG). Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody that depletes CD20+ B cells, has demonstrated efficacy against NMOSD within several large case series. However, these two antibodies in NMOSD appear to be associated with a different pathogenesis, clinical phenotype, prognosis, and treatment response.
This study compared response to rituximab between patients with AQP4- versus MOG-antibody disease. Patients in the MOG antibody group were younger and had more equal gender distribution, lower disability scores, and less follow-up (1.6 vs. 3.2 years). Relapses occurred in 6 (38%) of 16 MOG patients versus 7 (24%) of 29 AQP4 patients, …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)