Tailoring B cell depletion therapy in MS according to memory B cell monitoring.

Objective: We wanted to evaluate efficacy on inflammatory parameters of rituximab (RTX)-personalized reinfusion scheme using a memory B cell-based treatment regimen.

Methods: This is a prospective, uncontrolled, open-label study including patients with MS treated with RTX in 2 Italian MS units. All patients were treated with RTX induction, followed by maintenance infusion at the dosage of 375 mg/m, according to memory B cell repopulation (0.

Efficacy of different rituximab therapeutic strategies in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Objective: To evaluate disease activity according to rituximab (RTX) induction and maintenance regimens in a multicenter real-life dataset of NMOSD patients.

Methods: This is an observational-retrospective multicentre study including patients with NMOSD treated with RTX in 21 Italian and 1 Swiss centers. Demographics, relapse rate and adverse events over the follow-up were summarized taking into account induction strategy (two-1 g infusions at a 15-day interval (IND-A) vs.

Treatment of multiple sclerosis with rituximab: A multicentric Italian-Swiss experience.

Background: Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody leading to B lymphocyte depletion, is increasingly used as an off-label treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in relapsing-remitting (RR) and progressive MS.

Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective study on consecutive MS patients treated off-label with rituximab in 22 Italian and 1 Swiss MS centers.

Expanded disability status scale progression assessment heterogeneity in multiple sclerosis according to geographical areas.

Using placebo data from 3 randomized multiple sclerosis (MS) trials with uniform inclusion criteria, we investigated heterogeneity of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression by geographical areas. Our analysis revealed a significantly lower EDSS progression in Eastern European countries (10.8%) compared with Western Europe (13.

Long-term impact of interferon or Glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In recent years the impact of disease-modifying drugs on long-term progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) was assessed both in observational studies and in extension of randomized controlled trial (RCT). Aim of this work was to quantitatively summarize by a meta-analysis the long-term impact of immunomodulatory drugs (Interferon-Beta (IFN-β) or Glatiramer Acetate (GA)) in relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients.

Methods: We collected all published observational studies reporting the long-term efficacy of IFN-β or GA in RRMS patients.