Long-term tolerability, safety and efficacy of rituximab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a prospective study

Serum Proteomics Distinguish Subtypes of NMO Spectrum Disorder and MOG Antibody-Associated Disease and Highlight Effects of B-Cell Depletion

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

AQP4 antibody-positive NMOSD (AQP4-NMOSD), MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), and seronegative NMOSD (SN-NMOSD) are neuroautoimmune conditions that have overlapping clinical manifestations. Yet, important differences exist in these diseases, particularly in B-cell depletion (BCD) efficacy. Yet, the biology driving these differences remains unclear. Our study aims to clarify biological pathways distinguishing these diseases beyond autoantibodies and investigate variable BCD effects through proteomic comparisons.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, 1,463 serum proteins were measured in 53 AQP4-NMOSD, 25 MOGAD, 18 SN-NMOSD, and 49 healthy individuals. To identify disease subtype-associated signatures, we examined serum proteins in patients without anti-CD20 B-cell depletion (NoBCD). We then assessed the effect of BCD treatment within each subtype by comparing proteins between BCD-treated and NoBCD-treated patients.

RESULTS

In NoBCD-treated patients, serum profiles distinguished the 3 diseases. AQP4-NMOSD showed elevated type I interferon-induced chemokines (CXCL9 and CXCL10) and TFH chemokine (CXCL13). MOGAD exhibited increased cytotoxic T-cell proteases (granzyme B and granzyme H), while SN-NMOSD displayed elevated Wnt inhibitory factor 1, a marker for nerve injury. Across all subtypes, BCD-treated patients showed reduction of B-cell-associated proteins. In AQP4-NMOSD, BCD led to a decrease in several inflammatory pathways, including IL-17 signaling, cytokine storm, and macrophage activation. By contrast, BCD elevated these pathways in patients with MOGAD. BCD had no effect on these pathways in SN-NMOSD.

DISCUSSION

Proteomic profiles show unique biological pathways that distinguish AQP4-NMOSD, MOGAD, or SN-NMOSD. Furthermore, BCD uniquely affects inflammatory pathways in each disease type, providing an explanation for the disparate therapeutic response in AQP4-NMOSD and MOGAD.

Interferon-γ controls aquaporin 4-specific Th17 and B cells in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a CNS autoimmune inflammatory disease mediated by T helper 17 (Th17) and antibody responses to the water channel protein, aquaporin 4 (AQP4), and associated with astrocytopathy, demyelination and axonal loss. Knowledge about disease pathogenesis is limited and the search for new therapies impeded by the absence of a reliable animal model. In our work, we determined that NMOSD is characterized by decreased IFN-γ receptor signalling and that IFN-γ depletion in AQP4201-220-immunized C57BL/6 mice results in severe clinical disease resembling human NMOSD. Pathologically, the disease causes autoimmune astrocytic and CNS injury secondary to cellular and humoral inflammation. Immunologically, the absence of IFN-γ allows for increased expression of IL-6 in B cells and activation of Th17 cells, and generation of a robust autoimmune inflammatory response. Consistent with NMOSD, the experimental disease is exacerbated by administration of IFN-β, whereas repletion of IFN-γ, as well as therapeutic targeting of IL-17A, IL-6R and B cells, ameliorates it. We also demonstrate that immune tolerization with AQP4201-220-coupled poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles could both prevent and effectively treat the disease. Our findings enhance the understanding of NMOSD pathogenesis and provide a platform for the development of immune tolerance-based therapies, avoiding the limitations of the current immunosuppressive therapies.

Efficacy and safety of low- and ultralow-dose rituximab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

BACKGROUND

Rituximab effectively targets B cells and reduces relapses in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). But the ideal dosage and treatment intervals remain unanswered. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of low and ultralow-dose rituximab in NMOSD.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of NMOSD patients treated with rituximab at two Chinese tertiary hospitals. Patients received either a low-dose regimen (500 mg reinfusion every 6 months) or an ultralow-dose regimen: 100 to 300 mg rituximab based on CD19+B cells (100 mg for 1-1.5% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, 200 mg for 1.5-5%, and 300 mg for over 5%).

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 136 patients (41 in the low-dose group, 95 in the ultralow-dose group) with median follow-up durations of 43 and 34.2 months, respectively. Both groups exhibited similar sex distribution, age at disease onset, annual relapse rate, and baseline disease duration. Survival analysis showed that ultralow-dose rituximab was noninferior to low-dose rituximab in preventing relapses. Infusion reactions occurred in 20 of 173 (11.6%) low-dose treatments and 9 of 533 (1.7%) ultralow-dose treatments. B-cell re-emergence was observed in 137 of 236 (58.1%) monitors in the low-dose group and 367 of 1136 (32.3%) monitors in the ultralow-dose group.

CONCLUSION

Ultralow dose rituximab was noninferior to low-dose rituximab in preventing NMOSD relapses. A randomized controlled trial is essential to validate these findings.

Different doses of Rituximab for the therapy of Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease(NMOSD) is an autoimmune neurological disease that primarily affects the spinal cord, optic nerve, and periventricular organs. Rituximab plays an important role in the prevention of relapse in NMOSD. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of different doses of the anti-monoclonal antibody rituximab in NMOSD.

OBJECTS

Our study aimed to implement a meta-analysis to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of different doses of rituximab in the treatment of NMOSD.

METHODS

We searched Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov for relevant studies evaluating rituximab for NMOSD up to March 2022. Data were assessed using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14 softwares. Means and standard deviations(SD) were analyzed using random effects models with continuous outcomes. Risk radio was analyzed using random effects models with dichotomous outcomes.

RESULTS

We collected 576 patients from 17 studies. The endpoint of efficacy was the change in annual recurrence rate(ARR), expanded disability status scale (EDSS), and the number of patients free of relapse between pre-treatment and post-treatment of rituximab. We found that rituximab reduced ARR and EDSS, with a significant reduction in ARR(MD= -1.79, 95% CI: -3.18 ∼ -0.39, P= 0.01) and EDSS(MD= -1.35, 95% CI: -1.5 ∼ -1.19, P < 0.00001) at 100 mg intravenous infusion per week for 3 consecutive weeks, meanwhile making the number of patients free of relapse increased (RR= 24.61 [5.11, 118.55], P<0.0001) and being relatively safe and without serious adverse events(SAEs). In terms of safety, we compared and summarised the adverse events(AEs) and SAEs from 17 studies.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found rituximab to be relatively safe and efficacious in the treatment of NMOSD, particularly at a dose of 100mg intravenous infusion per week for 3 consecutive weeks.

Adverse drug reactions of Rituximab in patients suffering from autoimmune neurological diseases

BACKGROUND

Rituximab, a chimeric human/mouse monoclonal antibody targeting CD-20 antigens, has been used recently for various rheumatological and autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune neurological disorders.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to study the frequency, seriousness, causality, and preventability of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of rituximab in Iranian patients with autoimmune neurological diseases.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional observational study, patients with autoimmune neurological diseases who had an indication for rituximab treatment were enrolled. Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale was used to assess the causality of ADRs, and the preventability of the ADRs was determined by P-Method. The seriousness of ADRs was also determined.

RESULTS

A total of 264 ADRs were recorded from 97 patients. The Median (min-max) number of ADRs experienced by patients was 3 (1-7) events. 11.3% of patients experienced serious ADRs. 18.2% and 26.9% of ADRs were Definite and Probable, respectively. Only 5% of the ADRs were ''preventable". The most frequent ADRs were rituximab infusion-related reactions.

CONCLUSION

Rituximab had an acceptable safety profile in our study patients. However, there must be certain cautions regarding the use of the medication for the elderly or patients with a compromised immune system. Timely detection and management of ADRs would also be crucial to prevent severe and permanent damages. Moreover, considering that rituximab is used as an off-label treatment for autoimmune neurological diseases, a risk-benefit assessment would be necessary before deciding on the treatment choice.

A meta-analysis on efficacy and safety of rituximab for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

BACKGROUND

To assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum diseases (NMOSDs), and give a guideline on clinical medication.

METHODS

The databases of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wan fang were systematically searched by computer, and the search period was from the establishment of the databases until January 2022. To collect the trials of RTX in the treatment of NMOSDs, two researchers completed literature screening, quality assessment, and data extraction independently. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 15.1 software.

RESULTS

There were 37 studies in the meta-analysis, including 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 32 observational studies. Meta-analysis results revealed that NMOSDs patients treated with RTX significantly reduced the annualized relapse rate (ARR) (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-1.66, P < .01) and the Expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores (WMD = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.25-1.44, P < .01). RTX is more effective than azathioprine (AZA) in the treatment of NMOSDs (ARR: WMD = -0.54, 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.33; EDSS: WMD = -0.65, 95% CI: -0.83 to -0.48; P < .0001).There was no difference in ARR and EDSS scores between anti-aquapor in-4-antibody seropositive NMOSD and seronegative NMOSD patients treated with RTX (ARR: WMD = -0.01, 95% CI: -0.25 to 0.24, P = .96 > 0.05; EDSS: WMD = 0, 95% CI: -0.30 to 0.31, P = .99 > 0.05). In this study, 681 patients were recorded safety data of RTX therapy, 23% (156 patients) had adverse events, and 0.7% (5 patients) of NMOSDs discontinued due to severe adverse reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

NMOSDs patients treated with RTX can significantly reduce the relapse frequency and EDSS scores, and also improve neurological dysfunction, besides the efficacy is better than azathioprine. RTX has a high incidence of adverse reactions, which are mild and with certain self limited, it should be cautious in clinical medication.

Adverse events of rituximab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:

The adverse events (AEs) of rituximab (RTX) for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are incompletely understood.

Aim:

To collate information on the reported the AEs of RTX in NMOSD and assess the quality of evidence.

Methods:

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, CBM, CNKI, VIP, clinicaltrials.gov, and so on were searched for studies with control groups as well as for case series that had assessed the RTX-associated AEs. The incidence of AEs and the comparison of AE risks among different therapies were pooled. The GRADE was developed for evidence quality.

Results:

A total of 3566 records were identified. Finally, 36 studies (4 RCTs, 6 crochet studies, 2 NRCTs, and 24 case series), including 1542 patients (1299 females and 139 males), were included for final analyses. Rates of patients with any AEs, any serious AEs (SAEs), infusion-related AEs, any infection, respiratory infection, urinary infection, and death were 28.57%, 5.66%, 27.01%, 17.36%, 4.76%, 4.76%, and 0.17%, respectively. The results from subgroup analysis showed that AE rates were most likely not associated with covariates such as duration of illness and study designs. Very low-quality evidence suggested that the risk ratios (RR) of any AEs (0.84, 95% CI = 00.42–1.69, p = 0.62) and any infections (1.24 95% CI = 0.18–8.61) of RTX were similar to that of azathioprine, and the RR of any AEs of RXT was akin to that of mycophenolate mofetil (0.66, 95% CI = 0.32–1.35 p = 0.26). Evidence of low to high quality showed the lower RR of RTX in other AEs, but not in infusion-related AEs. Strategies to handle AEs focused on symptomatic treatments.

Conclusions:

RTX is mostly safer than other immunosuppressants in NMOSD: the incidence of RTX-associated AEs was not high, and when present, the AEs were usually mild or moderate and could be well controlled. Given its efficacy and safety, RTX could be recommended as a first-line treatment for NMOSD.

Evaluation of effect of empirical attack-preventive immunotherapies in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: An update systematic review and meta -analysis

BACKGROUND

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, which mainly involves the optic nerve and spinal cord. Frequent relapse can accumulate the degree of disability. At present, the main treatment options are immunosuppressants and blood purification. The first-line immunosuppressants for NMOSD are mainly rituximab (RTX), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and azathioprine (AZA). Therefore, we designed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and effect of the above three drugs in the treatment of NMOSD patients.

METHODS

The following Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) and related entry terms are used to search English literature in PubMed, MEDLINE and CENTRAL databases, respectively. MeSH include: Neuromyelitis optic and Rituximab or Azathioprine or Mycophenolate Mofetil; entry terms include: NMO Spectrum Disorder, NMO Spectrum Disorders, Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Spectrum Disorder, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders, Devic Neuromyelitis Optica, Neuromyelitis Optica, Devic, Devic's Disease, Devic Syndrome, Devic's Neuromyelitis Optica, Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Spectrum Disorders, CD20 Antibody, Rituximab CD20 Antibody, Mabthera, IDEC-C2B8 Antibody, GP2013, Rituxan, Mycophenolate Mofetil, Mofetil, Mycophenolate, Mycophenolic Acid, Morpholinoethyl Ester, Cellcept, Mycophenolate Sodium, Myfortic, Mycophenolate Mofetil Hydrochloride, Mofetil Hydrochloride, Mycophenolate, RS 61443, RS-61443, RS61443, azathioprine sodium, azathioprine sulfate (note: literature retrieval operators "AND" "OR" "NOT" are used to link MeSH with Entry Terms.) The literature search found a total of 3058 articles about rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine in the treatment of NMOSD, 63 of which were included in this study after a series of screening.

RESULTS

930,933,732 patients with NMOSD were enrolled, who had been treated with MMF, AZA and RTX, respectively. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of EDSS before and after RTX treated was -0.58 (95%CI: -0.72, -0.44) (I² = 0%, p = 0.477), before and after MMF treated was -0.47 (95%CI: -0.73, -0.21) (I² = 85.6%, p<0.001), before and after AZA treated was -0.41 (95%CI: -0.60, -0.23) (I² = 65.4%, p<0.001). there was no significant difference in the effect of the three drugs on reducing EDSS scores (RTX vs MMF, p = 0.522; RTX vs AZA, p = 0.214; MMF vs AZA, p = 0.732). The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of ARR before and after RTX treated was -1.45 (95%CI: -1.72, -1.18) (I² = 72.4%, p<0.001), before and after MMF treated was -1.14 (95%CI: -1.31, -0.97) (I² = 54.5%, p<0.001), before and after AZA treated was -1.11 (95%CI: -1.39, -0.83) (I² = 83.4%, p<0.001). RTX significantly reduced ARR compared with the other two drugs (RTX vs MMF, p = 0.039; RTX vs AZA, p = 0.049; MMF vs AZA, p = 0.436).

CONCLUSION

The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the treatment of NMOSD patients with RTX, MMF and AZA is associated with decreased number of relapses and disability improvement as well, and there was no significant difference in the effect of the three drugs on reducing EDSS scores, but RTX significantly reduced ARR compared with the other two drugs.

Effective Rituximab Treatment in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders Compared with Azathioprine and Mycophenolate

Introduction

As an autoimmune central nervous system disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has been extensively investigated. A specific antigenic target, astrocytic water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) has already been identified, and it can be recognized explicitly by the autoantibody marker NMO-IgG. Along with the immune attacks, clinical disabilities would gradually accumulate. As there has been no validated and well-recognized therapy for NMO till now, preventing and postponing attack using immunosuppressive therapies is the primary treatment option.

Methods

In the current retrospective study, the effect of immunosuppressive agents was investigated through a long-term follow-up. To assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of rituximab (RTX), azathioprine (AZA), and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) therapies, all 129 patients with NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSD) who received at least one of these treatments were studied, including 55 seropositive for AQP4-Ab and 74 seronegative for AQP4-Ab.

Results

The median post-treatment annualized relapse rate (ARR) was lower than the pre-treatment rates in all AQP4⁺Ab groups (from 1.0 to 0.7 in RTX, from 0.8 to 0.3 in AZA, and from 0.85 to 0.35 in MMF). Meanwhile, the ARR also decreased in all AQP4⁻Ab groups (from 0.3 to 0.2 in RTX, from 0.9 to 0.5 in AZA, and from 0.9 to 0.4 in MMF). Disability condition improved in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in all AQP4⁺Ab groups (from 4.0 to 2.75 in RTX, from 3.5 to 2.5 in AZA, and from 3.0 to 2.0 in MMF) and in all AQP4⁻Ab groups (from 3.0 to 2.5 in RTX, from 3.0 to 2.5 in AZA, and from 3.5 to 2.0 in MMF). There was no statistically significant difference between the post-treatment and pre-treatment changes of EDSS and ARR in the RTX, AZA, and MMF groups (P > 0.05). However, according to Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, RTX-treated patients were more likely to be relapse-free after long-term follow-up than those who received AZA or MMF therapy. Meanwhile, adverse effects were noted in three out of 23 patients with RTX treatment, five of 32 with AZA treatment, and three of 21 with MMF treatment. No serious adverse events were observed in all treatment groups during the study.

Conclusions

RTX, AZA, and MMF therapies efficiently lowered the relapse frequency and disability in both of the AQP4-Ab seropositive or seronegative patients with NMO. Furthermore, low dosage of RTX is recommended for the patients with NMO owing to its long-term effectiveness and safety.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40120-021-00298-5.

The efficacy of rituximab in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A real-world study from Turkey

BACKGROUND

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are a group of antibody-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that leads to a reduction in disease activity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab as monotherapy in NMOSD and to determine whether the efficacy varies depending on the presence of antibodies in this cohort.

METHOD

This multicentre national retrospective study included patients with NMOSD treated with rituximab at least for 12 months from Turkey. The primary outcomes were the change in the annualised relapse rate, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the number of relapse and radiological activity-free patients.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients with NMOSD were included in the study. Of 85 patients, 58 (68.2%) were seropositive for anti-Aquaporin4-IgG (antI-AQP4-IgG). All patients were Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein IgG (anti-MOG-IgG) negative. The median follow-up for rituximab treatment was 21 months (Q1 16-Q3 34.5). During rituximab treatment, the mean annualised relapse rate (ARR) significantly decreased from 1.45 ± 1.53 to 0.15 ± 0.34 (P < .001). In subgroup analyses, the mean ARR decreased from 1.61 ± 1.65 to 0.20 ± 0.39 in the seropositive group and 1.10 ± 1.19 to 0.05 ± 0.13 in the seronegative group. The mean EDSS improved from 3.98 ± 2.04 (prior to treatment onset) to 2.71 ± 1.59 (at follow-up) (P < .001). In the seropositive group, mean EDSS decreased from 3.94 ± 1.98 to 2.67 ± 1.54, and in the seronegative group, mean EDSS decreased from 4.07 ± 2.21 to 2.79 ± 1.73. There was no significant difference between anti-AQP4-IgG (+) and (-) groups in terms of ARR and EDSS. Sixty-four patients (75.2%) were relapse-free after the initiation of treatment. Seventy patients (82.3%) were radiological activity-free in the optic nerve, area postrema and brainstem. Additionally, 78 patients (91.7%) showed no spinal cord involvement after the treatment.

CONCLUSION

Rituximab therapy is efficacious in the treatment of Turkish NMOSD patients independent of the presence of the anti-AQP4-IgG antibody.

Efficacy of rituximab in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: An update systematic review and meta -analysis

BACKGROUND

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is an autoimmune astrocyte disease that mainly affects the optic nerve and spinal cord resulting in blindness or paralysis. Rituximab (RTX) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the surface antigen of CD20 on B lymphocytes and is an emerging treatment option in NMOSD. The present review aimed to conduct an update systematic review and meta-analysis for the efficacy of RTX in the treatment of NMOSD and analyze main factors affecting the efficacy of RTX.

METHODS

The following Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) and related entry terms are used to search English literature in PubMed, MEDLINE and CENTRAL databases, respectively. MeSH include: Neuromyelitis optic and Rituximab; entry terms include: NMO Spectrum Disorder, NMO Spectrum Disorders, Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Spectrum Disorder, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders, Devic Neuromyelitis Optica, Neuromyelitis Optica, Devic, Devic's Disease, Devic Syndrome, Devic's Neuromyelitis Optica, Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Spectrum Disorders, CD20 Antibody, Rituximab CD20 Antibody, Mabthera, IDEC-C2B8 Antibody, GP2013, Rituxan; (note: literature retrieval operators "AND" "OR" "NOT" are used to link MeSH with Entry Terms.) 54 studies were included in this systematic review and 29 studies were included in meta-analysis. The main efficacy indicators were the difference of the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and annualized relapse rate (ARR) between before and after rituximab treatments.

RESULTS

In 29 studies involving 732 patients (643 women, 84 men, 5 with unknown gender), the EDSS and ARR were reduced by an average of -0.57 (95%CI, -0.69 to -0.44), -1.57 (95%CI, -1.78 to -1.35), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our systematic review and update meta-analysis provide new evidences that RTX can effectively improve disability and reduce ARR ratio.

Regulatory B Cells and Its Role in Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases

Regulatory B (Breg) cells represent a population of suppressor B cells that participate in immunomodulatory processes and inhibition of excessive inflammation. The regulatory function of Breg cells have been demonstrated in mice and human with inflammatory diseases, cancer, after transplantation, and particularly in autoinflammatory disorders. In order to suppress inflammation, Breg cells produce anti-inflammatory mediators, induce death ligand-mediated apoptosis, and regulate many kinds of immune cells such as suppressing the proliferation and differentiation of effector T cell and increasing the number of regulatory T cells. Central nervous system Inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNS IDDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders, which occur against the background of an acute or chronic inflammatory process. With the advent of monoclonal antibodies directed against B cells, breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of CNS IDDs. Therefore, the number and function of B cells in IDDs have attracted attention. Meanwhile, increasing number of studies have confirmed that Breg cells play a role in alleviating autoimmune diseases, and treatment with Breg cells has also been proposed as a new therapeutic direction. In this review, we focus on the understanding of the development and function of Breg cells and on the diversification of Breg cells in CNS IDDs.

Retrospective Observation of Low-Dose Rituximab Treatment in Chinese Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders in a Real-World Setting

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) patients.

Methods: NMOSD patients were treated with RTX at ~25% of the standard dose. The annualized relapse rate (ARR), expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, visual function system scale (VFSS) and length of spinal cord lesions before and after treatment were statistically compared. The dynamic changes in the proportion of CD19⁺ B lymphocytes after treatment were monitored, and adverse reactions were recorded.

Results: In total, 36 NMOSD patients who received a low-dose RTX treatment (375-mg/m² induction dose and 500 mg every 6 months) were recruited. The mean follow-up time after the RTX treatment was 19.83 ± 7.74 months. After the treatment, the ARR decreased from 1.97 ± 1.93 to 0.12 ± 0.32, the EDSS score decreased from 3.43 ± 1.49 to 3.10 ± 1.88, and the spinal cord lesion length decreased from 5.54 ± 3.96 to 4.31 ± 3.73. These differences were all statistically significant. The subgroup analysis of the patients who had previously received non-steroidal immunosuppressants (NSISs) (n = 20) showed that after the RTX treatment, the ARR decreased from 0.66 ± 0.51 to 0.08 ± 0.26, the EDSS score decreased from 3.65 ± 1.22 to 3.40 ± 1.99, and the spinal cord lesion length decreased from 5.68 ± 3.73 to 4.21 ± 3.58. These differences were all statistically significant. The VFSS scores did not show a significant change. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that low-dose RTX significantly delayed recurrence, which was also observed in the subgroup analysis of patients who previously received NSISs. Five relapses in 5 cases were noted after the low-dose RTX administration, and the percentage of CD19⁺ B cells remained < 1% in 3 cases during relapse. During the RTX treatment and subsequent follow-up, 8 (22.2%) patients reported adverse reactions, all of which were minor.

Conclusion: Low-dose RTX is an effective and safe treatment method for NMOSDs. This method is worth popularizing in developing countries or regions, especially in areas where RTX is not covered by medical insurance.

Transcriptomics and proteomics reveal a cooperation between interferon and T-helper 17 cells in neuromyelitis optica

Type I interferon (IFN-I) and T helper 17 (TH17) drive pathology in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and in TH17-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (TH17-EAE). This is paradoxical because the prevalent theory is that IFN-I inhibits TH17 function. Here we report that a cascade involving IFN-I, IL-6 and B cells promotes TH17-mediated neuro-autoimmunity. In NMOSD, elevated IFN-I signatures, IL-6 and IL-17 are associated with severe disability. Furthermore, IL-6 and IL-17 levels are lower in patients on anti-CD20 therapy. In mice, IFN-I elevates IL-6 and exacerbates TH17-EAE. Strikingly, IL-6 blockade attenuates disease only in mice treated with IFN-I. By contrast, B-cell-deficiency attenuates TH17-EAE in the presence or absence of IFN-I treatment. Finally, IFN-I stimulates B cells to produce IL-6 to drive pathogenic TH17 differentiation in vitro. Our data thus provide an explanation for the paradox surrounding IFN-I and TH17 in neuro-autoimmunity, and may have utility in predicting therapeutic response in NMOSD.