Rituximab treatment for myasthenia gravis

Comparison between rituximab treatment for new-onset generalized myasthenia gravis and refractory generalized myasthenia gravis

Brauner S, Eriksson-Dufva A, Hietala MA, et al

JAMA Neurology|August 11, 2020

This study was conducted at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Data was collected on a county-based community sample of 72 patients exposed to rituximab early or later in the myasthenia gravis disease course as well as controls receiving conventional immunotherapy.

Aim: to discover if the response to rituximab differs between patients with new-onset myasthenia gravis vs generalized myasthenia gravis, resistant to treatment, and how does rituximab compare with conventional immunotherapy in these patients?

Findings: In this cohort study, rituximab appeared to perform better if initiated early after onset of generalized symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

Conclusions: Early treatment with rituximab may be associated with improved treatment outcomes and may be considered earlier in the treatment for patients with new-onset generalized myasthenia gravis.

Read the full article on JAMA Neurology