Impact of rituximab treatment regime on time to relapse in aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Nasir, Moneed, Hone, Luke, Palace, jacqueline, Tallantyre, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3760-6634, Kelly, Patricia, Leite, Maria Isabel, Robertson, Neil ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5409-4909, Bestwick, Jonathan, Huda, Saif and Dobson, Ruth 2024. Impact of rituximab treatment regime on time to relapse in aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 85 , 105528. 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105528

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Abstract

Background Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody associated neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD) requires long-term immunosuppression. Rituximab is increasingly used worldwide, however the optimal regime is not established. Methods We retrospectively examined different rituximab regimens in AQP4-NMOSD. Standard monotherapy (SM; 6 monthly infusions), SM plus oral steroids (SM+S), extended interval dosing (EID; guided by CD19 repopulation) and EID with oral steroids (EID+S) were compared. The primary outcome was time to first clinical relapse. Potential confounders including age, gender, number of previous relapses, and onset phenotype were included. Results 77 patients were included: 67 females, median onset age 35.6, median DSS at rituximab initiation 5.0. 39 were on SM+S, 20 SM, 6 EID, and 12 EID+S. 25/77 patients relapsed during a median follow-up of 44.0 months. No significant difference in time to first relapse was observed between any rituximab regimen. Pooled analyses to compare regimens that use standard monotherapy (SM and SM+S) against those that use extended interval dosing (EID and EID+S) showed no significant difference. Pooled analysis of regimens using steroids with those not using steroids also showed no significant difference. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard model revealed no significant difference between rituximab regimens or influence of demographic factors. 9 significant adverse events were recorded, 5 in the SM group and 4 in SM+S. Conclusions This study provides some basis for further exploring EID as a viable option for long term treatment of AQP4-NMOSD. This may improve patient experience and consolidate use of hospital resources.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG)
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	2211-0348
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	28 February 2024
Date of Acceptance:	26 February 2024
Last Modified:	08 Apr 2024 15:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/166614

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