Low-dose Rituximab Research Articles

Editorial Comment on "Herpes zoster development in living kidney transplant recipients receiving low-dose rituximab".

Editorial Comment on "Herpes zoster development in living kidney transplant recipients receiving low-dose rituximab".

Efficacy of valganciclovir prophylaxis in kidney transplant recipients following low-dose rituximab induction therapy: a multicenter retrospective study.

Rituximab (RIT) induction therapy is widely used for desensitization against ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplants (KT). However, the efficacy of valganciclovir (VGCV) prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and infection in KT recipients (KTRs) following RIT induction remains unclear. The current multicenter retrospective study included 213 KTRs who received low-dose RIT induction between 1998 and 2021, across 6 facilities included in the Michinoku Renal Transplant Network (MRTN). VGCV dosage varied from 450mg/day (twice weekly) to 900mg/day (daily), with treatment durations of 3-12months. The primary and secondary endpoints were the incidence of CMV disease and infection, respectively. The incidence of CMV disease was significantly higher in the VGCV group (23.5%; 16 patients) than in the non-VGCV group (5.5%; 8 patients) (p < 0.01). The incidence of CMV infection was 54.5% (79 patients) in the non-VGCV group and 48.5% (33 patients) in the VGCV group, with no significant difference (p = 0.42). In the subgroup of CMV-seronegative KTRs receiving allografts from CMV-seropositive donors (CMV IgG (D + /R-)), 18 out of 24 KTRs received VGCV prophylaxis, of whom 10 (55.6%) developed CMV disease. Within this subgroup, only 4 KTRs received VGCV with the standard protocol (900mg daily for 6months), and none developed CMV disease. Insufficient VGCV prophylaxis does not reduce the incidence of CMV disease in KTRs following low-dose RIT induction. Despite concerns about leukopenia due to RIT and VGCV, in KTRs with CMV IgG (D + /R-) serostatus, VGCV prophylaxis with a standard protocol may be advisable.

Treat-to-target fixed dose rituximab retreatment versus fixed interval retreatment with disease activity-guided rituximab dose optimisation for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled superiority trial focusing on long-term disease impact (RITUXERA)

BackgroundThe optimal retreatment strategy with rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains a point of discussion. Depending on local guidelines, rituximab can either be administered at fixed intervals or when losing disease control, balancing therapeutic effectiveness with drug overexposure. However, treatment based on loss of disease control may significantly affect patients’ lives, provoking uncertainty and potentially leading to progressive joint damage. Moreover, as low-dose rituximab proved to be effective in treating RA while decreasing toxicity, drug exposure may be limited by tapering down rituximab doses guided by disease activity.MethodsRITUXERA is a 104-week open-label multicentre randomised controlled superiority trial. In total, 134 patients with RA treated with rituximab will be 1:1 randomised when in need of retreatment (DAS28-CRP ≥ 3.2 with previous rituximab administration at least 24 weeks earlier) to either a treat-to-target-driven fixed dose retreatment strategy (usual care group) or fixed interval disease-activity guided dose optimisation strategy (experimental group). The usual care group will be retreated with fixed rituximab doses (1 × 1000 mg IV) in case of loss of disease control (DAS28-CRP ≥ 3.2). The experimental group will receive a 24-weekly rituximab treatment while tapering down the dose in a decreasing sequence if DAS28-CRP ≤ 3.2: 1 × 1000 mg IV (maximal dose), 1 × 500 mg IV, and 1 × 200 mg IV (minimal dose). If DAS28-CRP exceeds 3.2 at the six-monthly retreatment, patients will receive and remain on the previous effective dose. Study visits are planned every 12 weeks. Primary outcome is the comparison of longitudinal patient-reported disease impact over 104 weeks, measured with the Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) instrument, analysed using a linear mixed model. Main secondary outcome is the comparison of longitudinal disease activity (DAS28-CRP) over 104 weeks.DiscussionThe RITUXERA trial aims to explore the optimal retreatment strategy with rituximab for RA in terms of long-term patient-reported disease impact, by proposing a fixed interval disease activity-guided dose optimisation strategy as compared to a treat-to-target fixed dose strategy.Trial registrationCTIS 2023–506638-59–01 (registration date: 07 September 2023), ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06003283 (registration date: 17 August 2023).

Herpes zoster development in living kidney transplant recipients receiving low-dose rituximab.

We evaluated whether a history of low-dose rituximab treatment affected herpes zoster development after living kidney transplantation. We enrolled 103 living kidney transplant recipients. Patients were divided into two groups according to their history of rituximab treatment; rituximab was administered to 50 living kidney transplant recipients. We assessed the difference in herpes zoster events between the two groups and determined the risk factors for herpes zoster using multivariate regression analysis. The total dose of rituximab in each kidney transplant recipient who received rituximab therapy was 200-400 mg. The rate of herpes zoster events after transplantation in recipients who received rituximab therapy (4 of 50, 8%) was not higher than that in recipients who did not receive rituximab (9 of 53, 17%) (p = 0.238). Herpes zoster-free survival did not significantly differ between the two groups (p = 0.409). In the multivariate regression analysis, the association between varicella zoster vaccination before transplantation and herpes zoster events after transplantation was confirmed, whereas rituximab therapy was not associated with herpes zoster events. Low-dose rituximab therapy in kidney transplant recipients did not influence herpes zoster development after transplantation. Varicella zoster vaccination before transplantation may play an important role in preventing herpes zoster after transplantation.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab in the treatment of myasthenia gravis: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody that has been increasingly used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG). In most studies, the therapeutic protocol of RTX has been similar to that adopted for B cell lymphoma, with an increasing number of studies aimed at exploring the efficacy of low-dose RTX in MG. However, the beneficial effects of low-dose RTX in MG remain a subject of critical debate. This study was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Two reviewers (Xishuai Yang and Bingxia Li) independently conducted searches across multiple databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). A meta-analysis, utilizing representative forest plots, was performed to assess "Improved clinical status" and changes in the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score before and after treatment. A total of 17 studies involving 292 patients were included in the meta-analysis. A noticeable improvement in clinical status was observed in 91% of patients at the final follow-up after therapy (95% CI: 84-96%, P < 0.001). The QMG score showed a significant reduction following the treatment, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -1.69 (95% CI: -2.21 to -1.16, Z = 6.29, P < 0.001). In the acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive myasthenia gravis (AChR-MG) group, 90% of patients achieved improved clinical status (95% CI: 80-97%, P < 0.001) and the QMG score significantly decreased after low-dose RTX treatment, with an SMD of -1.51 (95% CI: -0.80 to -2.21, Z = 4.50, P < 0.001). In the muscle-specific kinase antibody-positive myasthenia gravis (MuSK-MG) group, 97% of patients achieved improved clinical status (95% CI: 89-100%, P < 0.001). The QMG score also significantly decreased following low-dose RTX treatment, with an SMD of -2.31 (95% CI: -2.99 to -1.62, Z = 6.60, P < 0.001). Adverse effects were reported in 29 out of 207 patients (14%, including infusion reactions in 22 patients (10.1%), infections in three patients (1.45%), cytopenia in two patients (0.96%), eosinophilia in one patient (0.48%), and hemiplegia in one patient (0.48%). Additionally, one patient (0.48%) succumbed to complications from invasive thymoma. Our meta-analysis shows that low-dose RTX is both effective and safe for treating MG. PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42024509951.

400.1: Appropriate risk classification and low-dose rituximab can help prevent antibody-associated rejection in ABO-compatible kidney transplants.

400.1: Appropriate risk classification and low-dose rituximab can help prevent antibody-associated rejection in ABO-compatible kidney transplants.

Effectiveness and safety of low dose Rituximab as remission-maintenance treatment for patients with refractory idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: results of a retrospective study from a monocentric cohort

ObjectiveOur aim was to assess efficacy and safety of Rituximab (RTX) in patients with refractory Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) from a monocentric cohort. Thereafter, we evaluated the efficacy of a low-dose RTX regimen as a remission-maintenance therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated a cohort of patients affected with IIM treated with RTX. All patients were refractory to glucocorticoids (GC) and at least one immunosuppressant. Two infusions of 1 g two weeks apart were considered as standard cycle of RTX, a single dose of 1 g every six months was deemed as a low-dose RTX regimen. Complete and partial response were defined according to physician’s judgment, laboratory and radiological features.ResultsThirty-six patients affected with IIM were enrolled. Eighteen patients (50%) required the use of RTX for muscular involvement, 6 (16.7%) for interstitial lung disease (ILD), 12 (33.3%) for both myositis and ILD. We observed complete response to RTX in 25 patients (69.4%), partial response in 7 (19.4%) and no response in 4 (11.1%), with an overall response of 88.8% (partial and complete response). From the subgroup of twenty-five patients that achieved a complete response, six were treated with a low dose maintenance therapy maintaining a complete response to RTX. Twenty-six patients who achieved a complete or partial response were able to decrease the mean daily GC dose. Infections were the major adverse events detected in our study.ConclusionsRTX shows favorable outcomes in refractory patients with IIM. A low-dose regimen of RTX appears to be effective in maintaining remission after induction with standard dose.Key Points• The precise pathogenic mechanism of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) remains elusive; however, a growing body of data support the autoimmune hypothesis. In this context, rituximab, a B cell-depleting agent, has emerged as a second-line therapeutic option in IIM.• Several studies have assessed It its effectiveness in refractory IIM patients.• Limited information exists on the use of Rituximab as maintenance therapy in patients who have achieved remission following induction therapy with Rituximab.

Long-term and low-dose rituximab treatment for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a low-dose, long-term rituximab regimen in the treatment of idiopathic CIDP. This study included 15 CIDP patients treated with rituximab. Patients were administered 600 mg of rituximab intravenously every 6 months. Baseline evaluation was conducted before the initiation of rituximab treatment and subsequent evaluations were conducted 6 months after each rituximab infusion at on-site visits. Clinical improvement was objectively determined by improvement of scale score at least decrease ≥1 INCAT or mRS or increase ≥4 MRC or ≥8 cI-RODS after each infusion compared to baseline evaluation. Fifteen CIDP patients were included and 10 of them were typical CIDP and five were distal CIDP. Nine in 15 (60%) patients after first infusion and three in six (50%) patients after second infusion exhibited significant clinical improvement compared to baseline evaluation. Additionally, rituximab facilitated a reduction or cessation of other medications in 73% of patients at last visit. The safety profile was favorable, with no reported adverse events. Rituximab presents a promising therapeutic option for idiopathic CIDP, offering both efficacy and safety with a low-dose, long-term regimen.

Update on targeted treatments for ANCA-associated vasculitis

Targeted therapy has revolutionized the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) over the last fifteen years. Rituximab, an approved induction and maintenance agent for severe AAV, is no less effective than cyclophosphamide as induction therapy and particularly useful in relapsing or refractory disease, or in women. In patients with relapsing AAV, granulomatosis with polyangiitis or PR3-ANCA, it is more effective than cyclophosphamide. Rituximab maintenance is superior to the conventional immunosuppressive drugs that it replaces. Low-dose preemptive rituximab infusions are recommended every 6months for 18months, followed by re-evaluation to decide whether 4 additional biannual infusions should be administered, balancing the probability of relapse and the risk of serious infections on rituximab. A growing body of experimental and clinical data shows that C5a pathway inhibition is a promising therapeutic option for AAV, which could reduce glucocorticoids needs. Avacopan is a first approved oral C5A receptor antagonist, used when there is a high risk that glucocorticoids will cause serious adverse events. In eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, the importance of IL-5 for eosinophil activation and survival led to evaluation and approval of mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against IL-5. Mepolizumab showed a steroid-sparing effect. Its effectiveness in active vasculitis remains uncertain and is currently being evaluated. Benralizumab targeting the IL-5 receptor was recently shown to be noninferior to mepolizumab. Rituximab has had disappointing results in non-severe active vasculitis and is being evaluated as maintenance therapy. Plasma exchange is not indicated as first-line treatment but remains recommended when creatinine levels exceed 300μmol/L.

COMBAT-MS: A Population-Based Observational Cohort Study Addressing the Benefit-Risk Balance of Multiple Sclerosis Therapies Compared with Rituximab.

To assess comparative effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of off-label rituximab, compared with frequently used therapies approved for multiple sclerosis (MS). A Swedish cohort study of persons with relapsing-remitting MS, age 18 to 75 years at inclusion and with a first therapy start or a first therapy switch between 2011 and 2018. Low-dose rituximab was compared with MS-approved therapies. Primary outcomes were proportions with 12 months confirmed disability worsening and change in MS Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) scores, respectively. Secondary endpoints included relapses, therapy discontinuation, and serious adverse events. Analyses used an intention-to-treat approach and were adjusted for demographics, MS features, and health characteristics. We included 2,449 participants as first therapy start and 2,463 as first therapy switch. Proportions with disability worsening at 3 years were 9.1% for rituximab as first therapy and 5.1% after therapy switch, with no differences to MS-approved comparators. Worsening on rituximab was mostly independent of relapses. MSIS-29 with rituximab at 3 years improved by 1.3/8.4 points (physical/psychological) for first disease-modifying therapy (DMT) and 0.4/3.6 for DMT switch, and was mostly similar across therapies. Rituximab had lower relapse rates and higher therapy persistence in both groups. The rate of hospital-treated infections was higher with rituximab after a therapy switch, but not as a first therapy. This population-based real-world cohort study found low rates of disability progression, mostly independent of relapses, and without significant differences between rituximab and MS-approved comparators. Rituximab led to lower rates of inflammatory activity and higher treatment persistence, but was associated with an increased rate of serious infections. ANN NEUROL 2024.

Clinical efficacy of two different doses of rituximab as a treatment option in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia

BackgroundImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder with a high incidence of chronicity among adults. Rituximab is recommended as a treatment option for chronic ITP with the best long-term effect compared with other therapies. However, the optimal dose of rituximab remains unclear. We retrospectively compared the response rate, incidence of relapse, and other clinical outcomes in 34 chronic ITP patients who received rituximab in different doses. Patients were divided into two groups according to rituximab dose (the low-dose group, 100 mg/week for 4 weeks, and the standard-dose group, 375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks).ResultsFemales represented 72.2% and 56.3% of patients in the low dose and the standard dose groups, respectively. The overall response in all patients was 88.2%. By the end of the second month of treatment, 77.8% achieved partial remission and 11.1% achieved complete remission in the low-dose group versus 68.8% and 18.8% in the standard-dose group. Similar incidence of sustained complete response after 6 months of treatment, 83.3% after low dose rituximab and 81.2% after the standard dose (p = 1.000). The incidence of relapse was similar between both groups.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that both regimens had no statistically significant differences in overall response, relapse rate, and time to reach response. The low dose of rituximab is comparable to the standard high dose in efficacy and safety for the treatment of chronic ITP patients and can be a good option in centers with limited resources.

#992 Protocol based on PLA2R1 epitope recognition is superior to standard protocol in achieving remission in PLA2R1-associated membranous nephropathy

Abstract Background and Aims Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a rare, but severe autoimmune disease affecting kidney glomeruli. Clinical evolution is variable, ranging from spontaneous remission to persistent nephrotic syndrome and kidney failure. The major autoantigen in MN is PLA2R1 protein associated with 50-70% of all cases. Patients may present antibodies against a single immunodominant CysR domain or may develop additional antibodies against CTLD1 and/or CTLD7 and/or CTLD8 domains of PLA2R1 defining a cascade immunization or epitope spreading. The mechanism of epitope spreading has been described in a variety of contexts: it can reinforce immune response to eliminate a pathogen, but can also be associated with the aggravation of autoantibody-mediated autoimmune pathologies. The value of this marker in the management of MN patients remains debated. Our initial study (confirmed on an independent cohort) has shown that the single domain recognition (non-spreader patients) is associated with a higher chance of spontaneous remission (45% vs 0.05% in GEMRITUX cohort) and a better response to treatment (100% of remission regardless of the dose of rituximab used). The patients with multi domain recognition (spreader patients) of CTLD1 and/or CTLD7 domains, on the other hand, have poor prognosis and are less likely to achieve remission requiring high doses of rituximab. Based on these studies we have proposed a personalized treatment protocol with either low or high dose Rituximab based on patients’ PLA2R1 epitope spreading status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of this personalized treatment in comparison to the established GEMRITUX protocol. Method A multicenter, randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial was conducted in 12 French hospitals. Sixty-four consecutive patients with PLA2R1-related MN were randomly assigned to either the control group following the GEMRITUX protocol (symptomatic treatment for 6 months, two 375 mg/m2 rituximab infusions at month-6 in case of persistent nephrotic syndrome (NS)) or the personalized treatment (PMMN) group (patients with no epitope spreading at month-0 were treated as per GEMRITUX protocol, while patients with epitope spreading at month-0 or month-6 with persistent NS were treated immediately with two 1 g rituximab infusions). The primary study outcome was the rate of clinical remission at month-12. The secondary outcomes were complete and partial remission, immunological remission, proteinuria, albuminuria, serum creatinine, and PLA2R1 antibody titer. Results From 64 patients included, three were excluded from final analyses due to loss to follow-up. There was no difference in age, gender, albumin, UPCR, anti-PLA2R1 titer and the rate of PLA2R1 epitope spreading at baseline between the two groups. At M12, 34% of patients from the GEMRITUX group and 69% of patients from PMMN group achieved partial clinical remission (P = .0105) defined as UPCR &amp;lt; 3.5 g/g with a decrease greater than 50% from baseline; improvement or normalization of serum albumin; and increase of serum creatinine lower than 20%. While there was no difference in remission rate between the GEMRITUX group and PMMN group for patients with single domain recognition (38% vs 50%, respectively, P = .7107), multi-domain recognizers (spreaders) were more likely to achieve remission with personalized protocol (36% vs. 87%, P = .0078). The rate of complete clinical remission between the two experimental groups, defined as UPCR &amp;lt;0.3 g/g and normal albumin, was close to statistical significance (0% vs 16%, P = .0538). Conclusion Personalized treatment protocol based on the stratification of patients with PLA2R1-related MN according to their epitope spreading status, is superior to the standard GEMRITUX protocol in achieving partial clinical remission at 12 months. Patients with multiple domain recognition should be treated immediately with high doses of rituximab to increase their chances of remission.

#514 Efficacy of continues low dose rituximab in PLA2R-associated primary membranous nephropathy

Abstract Background and Aims We reported that rituximab 100 mg monthly showed an effective regimen for low anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (anti-PLA2R) primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), especially for those elderly and susceptible PMN. Here we attempted to compare effect of the rituximab (RTX) 100 mg monthly vs traditional corticosteroid-cyclophosphamide (GC-Cy) for the treatment of PLA2R-associated PMN in our hospital. Method All the included PMN patients were treated in our hospital between June 2017 and June 2022 and were retrospectively analyzed. The inclusion criteria:(1) age &amp;gt;18 years old, (2) biopsy-proven PMN, (3) anti-PLA2R titers &amp;gt;20 RU/ml, (4) nephrotic syndrome (NS, both proteinuria &amp;gt;3.5 g/24 and serum albumin &amp;lt;30 g/L), (5) eGFR &amp;gt;30 ml/ min. 1.73 m2, (6) followed up at least 12 months. Patients were stratified into the RTX and GC-Cy groups according to their received treatment. In the RTX group, patients received RTX 100 mg monthly until the NS was remission or at least serum anti-PLA2R less than 2 RU/ml. In the GC-Cy group, patients received prednisolone (0.5-1.0 mg/kg/day) or methylprednisolone (similar dose) orally for 1-2 months, then dosage was reduced gradually, and the total duration about one year; meanwhile received intravenous cyclophosphamide (0.6-1.0 g every month), total doses 6-12 g. Results The baseline parameters (included age, gender, anti-PLA2R antibody, urinary protein, serum albumin, and eGFR) did not differ significantly between the two groups (see Table 1). Total RTX dosed were 819 ± 240 (400-1200 mg) in the RTX group. After different treatment, anti-PLA2R antibody was significantly higher in rituximab group than in the GC-Cy group at 3 months (P &amp;lt; 0.05), but were not significantly different between the two groups at 6, 9, and 12 months (P &amp;gt; 0.05, see Fig. 1A); urinary proteins were significantly higher in RTX group than in the GC-Cy group at 3, 6, and 9 months (P &amp;lt; 0.001), but were not significantly different between the two groups at 12 months (P &amp;gt; 0.05, see Fig. 1B); serum albumin were significantly lower in RTX group than in the GC-Cy group at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months (P &amp;lt; 0.01, see Fig. 1C). The total remission rate was not significantly different between the two groups at 12 months (P &amp;gt; 0.05, see Fig. 1D). Conclusion Compared to traditional GC-Cy treatment, RTX 100 mg monthly appeared as a weak but lasting effective regimen for anti-PLA2R-associated PMN.

A predictive nomogram for short-term outcomes of myasthenia gravis patients treated with low-dose rituximab.

This study aims to establish and validate a predictive nomogram for the short-term clinical outcomes of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients treated with low-dose rituximab. We retrospectively reviewed 108 patients who received rituximab of 600 mg every 6 months in Huashan Hospital and Tangdu Hospital. Of them, 76 patients from Huashan Hospital were included in the derivation cohort to develop the predictive nomogram, which was externally validated using 32 patients from Tangdu Hospital. The clinical response is defined as a ≥ 3 points decrease in QMG score within 6 months. Both clinical and genetic characteristics were included to screen predictors via multivariate logistic regression. Discrimination and calibration were measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow test, respectively. Disease duration (OR = 0.987, p = 0.032), positive anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies (OR = 19.8, p = 0.007), and genotypes in FCGR2A rs1801274 (AG: OR = 0.131, p = 0.024;GG:OR = 0.037, p = 0.010) were independently associated with clinical response of post-rituximab patients. The nomogram identified MG patients with clinical response with an AUC-ROC (95% CI) of 0.875 (0.798-0.952) in the derivation cohort and 0.741(0.501-0.982) in the validation cohort. Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed a good calibration (derivation: Chi-square = 3.181, p = 0.923; validation: Chi-square = 8.098, p = 0.424). The nomogram achieved an optimal prediction of short-term outcomes in patients treated with low-dose rituximab.

E054 Rituximab dose minimisation in rheumatoid arthritis, a retrospective outcome analysis

Abstract Background/Aims Rituximab was originally developed as a non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment and rheumatology adopted the same dosing for rheumatoid arthritis(RA); two 1000mg doses two weeks apart for each maintenance cycle. UHSussex utilises self-referral for maintenance rituximab dosing once disease control lessens. Evidence demonstrates patients treated with lower dose rituximab still enjoy good disease control with less immunosuppression, reduced hospital attendance and reduction in drug expenditure. Following one two-dose cycle, stable RA patients were prescribed a single 1000mg dose from 2020 onwards. A retrospective outcome analysis was completed in August 2022; however, results were highly impacted by Covid-19 and a repeat analysis was required. Aim: to assess impact of a single 1000mg dose rituximab regime on patient sustained outcomes, dose intervals, Disease Activity Scores (DAS) and drug expenditure. Methods The pharmacy database was used to identify RA patients receiving rituximab from March 2020 to August 2023. Patients received at least one standard two-dose cycle before switching to a single infusion. Patients were excluded if lost to follow up (under care of rheumatology for less than a year following dose switching) or considered clinically unstable. Patient letters and departmental records were accessed for disease scores and treatment intervals. Results Table1: Results from the two analysis periods From the original cohort (31/59)53% remained on single dosing. Switch back tended to occur within 18 months of switching. DAS scores were not collected reliably and were omitted. Conclusion Covid-19 impacted services and attitudes during the initial study period. Many patients stopped treatment, particularly rituximab, due to the prolonged duration of effect, excluding them from analysis. The dose-interval increase during the first analysis was considered a result of the pandemic. Patients and clinicians delayed infusions; minimising immunosuppression due to perceived increased risk of Covid-19. The continued interval increase in the second analysis may identify a patient cohort in deep remission eligible for therapy review. The study highlights poor practice in collecting and recording DAS scores and appropriate patient-clinician interaction opportunities. 53% of patients remained on single infusions in August 2023 resulting in resource savings, reduced hospital attendance, immunosuppression and significant cost savings demonstrating the rationale for this option. Disclosure S. Butler: Honoraria; Abbvie, Janssen. H. Smith: Honoraria; Novartis, Abbvie.

Long-term clinical and radiological effectiveness and safety of ultralow doses of rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis: observational extension of the REDO trial

BackgroundThe REDO trial (REtreatment with Rituximab in RhEmatoid arthritis: Disease Outcome after Dose Optimisation) showed similar disease activity for retreatment with ultralow doses (200 mg and 500 mg per 6...

Real-World Healthcare Cost Savings and Reduced Relapse Rate with Off-Label Rituximab versus Disease-Modifying Treatments Approved for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Nationwide Cost-Effectiveness Study.

Although off-label use of rituximab is a common alternative to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved for multiple sclerosis (MS) in several countries, the impact of this on treatment cost-effectiveness is not well known. We evaluated the relative cost-effectiveness of rituximab and MS-approved DMTs in a register-based cohort study of Swedish residents with relapsing-remitting MS, aged 18-65 years, starting treatment with rituximab, natalizumab, fingolimod, or dimethyl fumarate between January 2010 and July 2016, and followed through July 2021 (n = 5,924). By linking the population-based Swedish MS register to several Swedish health care and demographic registers, we estimated health care costs in relation to number of relapses, over 5 years from treatment start. Differences between treatments were estimated in inverse probability of treatment-weighted regression models, adjusting for a broad range of potential confounders covering demographics, medical history, and MS-related clinical characteristics. Off-label rituximab was associated with both lower total health care costs (mean cost savings ranged $35,000-$66,000 vs. each approved DMT), and fewer relapses (mean number of prevented relapses ranged 0.12-0.22), per started therapy over 5 years. Results were robust to variations in discounting and pricing of health care visits, with the main driver of cost-savings being the price of the index drug itself. The cost-effectiveness of rituximab dominated the MS-approved alternatives. Off-label, low-dose rituximab should be considered for persons with MS and could reduce barriers to treatment, especially in resource-limited settings. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:1099-1111.

Low-dose rituximab treatment in a patient with anti-neurofascin-155 IgG4 autoimmune nodopathy

Autoimmune nodopathy is a new entity of immune-mediated neuropathies associated with antibodies against nodal-paranodal epitopes. We present a detailed clinical and serological work-up of a patient with autoimmune nodopathy with anti-neurofascin-155 (anti-NF-155) IgG4 antibodies who was treated with low-dose (500 mg) rituximab, which led to a decrease of anti-NF-155 antibody titer, depletion of B cells, normalization of the levels of neurofilament light chain in serum, and significant clinical improvement. This case suggests that a low-dose rituximab could be as effective as previously reported much higher doses, and presumably with a lower risk of adverse effects and infections.

Effect of Induction Therapy Dose on Survival in Abo-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation: A Network Meta-Analysis Using Recent Data

Rituximab is an essential induction immunosuppressant for ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (KT) (ABOi-KT). However, studies on the optimal dose of rituximab are insufficient, and there are dosage differences between transplant centers and countries. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the survival outcomes of patients receiving the most effective and safe dose of rituximab during ABOi-KT. Studies on rituximab dose were divided into four groups: ABO compatible, 1) placebo, 2) rituximab 200 mg, 3) rituximab 200-500 mg, and 4) rituximab 500 mg. We searched the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index Expanded databases from 1970 to February 2022.9 . The inclusion criteria were adult patients (>18 years old). Reviews, observational studies, and clinical trials that did not clearly define outcomes or that did not have graft failure as an outcome were excluded. We performed direct and indirect network meta-analyses using Bayesian models and ranked different rituximab doses using a generation mixed treatment comparison (GeMTC) and Stata version 13. The NMA approach was evaluated using the GRADE framework, which specifies four levels of certainty for a given result: high, moderate, low, and very low. The outcomes included patient survival, graft failure, and bacterial and viral infections. Twenty-five trials, including 5,378 subjects, were divided into the following four groups: 1) placebo, 2) rituximab 200 mg, 3) rituximab 200-500 mg, and 4) rituximab 500 mg. We focused on survival outcomes according to the dose of rituximab when patients received induction therapy for ABOi-KT. The mortality rate was significantly lower in the ABO-compatible and rituximab 200 mg groups (odds ratio [OR] 0.27, 95% CrI: 0.071-0.91 and OR 0.14, 95% CrI 0.036-0.47), compared with that in the placebo group. We found that low-dose rituximab in ABO-i KT was effective compared to the high-dose and placebo in maintaining the survival rate. However, large-scale and long-term data are necessary for further validation of our findings. Additionally, the use of smaller doses of rituximab will require further discussion.

Comparison of the efficacy of steroid-free versus classic steroid-containing regimens in primary membranous nephropathy.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a steroid-free regimen with steroid-based treatment in managing primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) and investigate the potential benefits of steroid-free regimens in PMN therapy. Methods: This was a single-centre prospective cohort study. A total of 81 patients were divided into two groups according to their medication regimen: a rituximab (RTX)/tacrolimus (TAC) group (low-dose RTX combined with low-dose TAC group, without steroids, n = 31) and a prednisone (P)/TAC group (P combined with TAC group, n = 61). The changes in 24-h urine protein quantification, levels of blood albumin, blood creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting blood glucose as well as anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody titres were observed in both groups before treatment and after 1, 3, 6 and 12months of treatment. Clinical remission (complete and partial remission), serological remission and recurrence were assessed in both groups after treatment, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was observed. Results: 1) Before treatment, there was no significant difference in baseline values between the two groups (p > 0.05). 2) After 12months of treatment, the 24-h proteinuria and total cholesterol levels in the RTX/TAC group were significantly lower than those in the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). 3) After 6months of treatment, the clinical remission rate of the RTX/TAC group was significantly higher than that of the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). After 12months of treatment, the clinical remission rate of the RTX/TAC group was significantly higher than that of the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). (4) After 3, 6 and 12months of treatment, serological remission rates in the RTX/TAC group were significantly higher than those in the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). During treatment, the anti-PLA2R antibody titres in the RTX/TAC group remained lower than those in the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The low-dose RTX combined with low-dose TAC steroid-free regimen induces serological remission in patients with PMN earlier than the classic regimen of P combined with TAC, and there was no significant difference in adverse effects between the two groups. Besides, the long-term clinical remission effect of low-dose RTX combined with low-dose TAC is better than that of P combined with TAC.