Rituximab Treatment for Neuroimmunologic Disorders

Abstract

Rituximab is a monoclonal chimeric antibody that targets CD20, which is expressed on the surface of B cells ranging from pre-B cells to mature B cells; rituximab treatment leads to depletion of B cells. It is widely used to treat various autoimmune neurological diseases including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, and autoimmune encephalitis. When administering rituximab for treatment, it is essential to consider potential adverse reactions, such as hypersensitivity, infection, and hypogammaglobulinemia, and to monitor B cell levels regularly to maintain the efficacy of treatment and prevent relapse. This review aims to explore the treatment of neuroimmunologic disorders with rituximab.