Title:Intrathecal Rituximab Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Review of Evidence Supporting the Need for Future Trials
Volume: 15
Issue: 13
Author(s): Mickael Bonnan, Sylvie Ferrari, Eric Bertandeau, Stephanie Demasles, Elsa Krim, Marie Miquel and Bruno Barroso
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Chronic progressive, intrathecal injection, lymphoma, multiple sclerosis, rituximab.
Abstract: Rituximab has demonstrated a major effect in B-cell lymphoma and in a wide range of autoimmune disorders.
Unfortunately, the blood-brain-barrier excludes the disorders restricted to the central nervous system (CNS) from the action
of rituximab. The progressive phase of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a prototypical CNS autoimmune disorder characterized
by an intrathecal compartmentalization of inflammation resisting all the available immunosuppressive treatments. As
a consequence, intrathecal therapeutics are promising new approach in progressive MS. We first review data gathered
from animal models and human off-label intrathecal rituximab use in CNS lymphomas, then summarize the recent evidence
supporting the need for trials based on the intrathecal use of rituximab in multiple sclerosis. The experience obtained
in these settings offers valuable preliminary data for future studies in CNS autoimmunity.
