Rituximab for Autoimmune Encephalitis

In a retrospective study of pediatric and adult cases, rituximab treatment was associated with a 71% lower risk for time to first relapse.

Prior studies in autoimmune encephalitis (AE) have emphasized that early immunotherapy initiation in the acute period is associated with better outcomes. Little is known regarding the relative impact on long-term outcomes, such as clinical relapse, of first-line immunotherapies (e.g. intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), plasmapheresis) and second-line immunotherapies (e.g. rituximab, cyclophosphamide) in the acute period. In a retrospective cohort study of 30 pediatric AE patients (29 seropositive, 76% of these with anti-N-methyl D-aspartate receptor encephalitis [anti-NMDARE]) treated at a children's hospital and 75 adult AE patients (59 seropositive, 34% of these with anti-NMDAR) at a tertiary medical …

Reviewing Author

John C. Probasco, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research Support Genetech/Roche

Editorial BoardsThe Neurohospitalist

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNeurohospitalist Society (President; Chair, Research Subcommittee)

John C. Probasco, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research Support Genetech/Roche

Editorial BoardsThe Neurohospitalist

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNeurohospitalist Society (President; Chair, Research Subcommittee)

Rituximab for Autoimmune Encephalitis

Topics

Reviewing Author