ALSUntangled #67: rituximab. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023 Aug;24(5-6):544-547
Date
09/16/2022Pubmed ID
36106861DOI
10.1080/21678421.2022.2122845Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85138163435 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
ALSUntangled reviews alternative and off-label treatments on behalf of people with ALS who ask about them. Here we review rituximab, a drug which specifically depletes B lymphocytes. We show a current lack of evidence for a role of these cells in ALS progression. The one patient we found who described using Rituximab for their ALS found no benefit. Given all this, and the known serious risks of rituximab, we advise against its use as an ALS treatment.
Author List
Li X, Armon C, Barkhaus P, Barnes B, Benatar M, Bertorini T, Bromberg M, Carter GT, Crayle J, Cudkowicz M, Dimachkie M, Feldman EL, Glass J, Goslinga J, Heiman-Patterson T, Jhooty S, Lichtenstein R, Lund I, Mcdermott C, Pattee G, Pierce K, Ratner D, Salmon K, Wicks P, Bedlack RAuthor
Paul E. Barkhaus MD Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisHumans
Off-Label Use
Rituximab