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Optimizing rituximab therapy for neuromyelitis optica

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Rituximab is an immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody therapy that is used in some cases to help prevent relapses of neuromyelitis optica, an inflammatory CNS demyelinating disease. A new study provides evidence supporting efficacy and a strategy for optimizing the timing of repeated courses of treatment for the individual patient.

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Acknowledgements

The authors receive research support from the Guthy–Jackson Charitable Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, 85255, AZ, USA

    Dean M. Wingerchuk

  2. Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, 55905, MN, USA

    Brian G. Weinshenker

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  1. Dean M. Wingerchuk
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  2. Brian G. Weinshenker
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Correspondence to Dean M. Wingerchuk.

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Competing interests

D. M. Wingerchuk has received research support from Alexion, Genentech and Genzyme. B. G. Weinshenker serves as a member of data safety monitoring committees for clinical trials sponsored by Biogen-Idec and Novartis. He receives royalties related to a patent for a test for neuromyelitis optica that has been licensed to a third party, RSR.

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Wingerchuk, D., Weinshenker, B. Optimizing rituximab therapy for neuromyelitis optica. Nat Rev Neurol 7, 664–665 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2011.154

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