Rituximab slows down the development of multiple sclerosis
The drug rituximab (rituxan), used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cancer (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), slows down the progression of multiple sclerosis. According to American scientists, this remedy is noticeably more effective than currently existing medicines, the New England Journal of Medicine reports.
Multiple sclerosis is a severe neurological disease associated with the gradual destruction of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers by the cells of the patient's immune system. The disease is accompanied by impaired coordination of movement, speech, complete or partial loss of mobility. Multiple sclerosis affects about two million people in the world.
Scientists from the University of California conducted a study involving 104 patients suffering from a remitting form of multiple sclerosis. On the 1st and 15th day of the study, 69 patients received intravenous injections of rituximab, the rest were administered placebo. Follow-up of the patients, which lasted for 48 weeks, included repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
It turned out that in patients receiving rituximab, the number and size of inflammatory lesions in the brain decreased. For example, at 36 weeks of observation, the size of the damage in the control group increased by an average of 418 cubic millimeters, and in those receiving rituximab, it decreased by 175.5 cubic millimeters. In addition, the administration of the drug led to a decrease in the number of relapses: if 40% of patients in the placebo group had relapses during the observation period, then 20.3% in the group receiving rituximab.
According to the head of the study, Stephen Hauser, the effect of the two injections lasted for all 48 weeks of observations. At the same time, the number of side effects when the drug was administered was approximately the same as in the control group. However, the drug cannot yet be recommended for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, since the assessment of long-term and rare side effects has not been carried out, the scientists warned.
Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that reduces the level of circulating B-lymphocytes. The positive effect of this drug confirms the role of B-lymphocytes in the progression of multiple sclerosis, said Hoser.
Source: Rituximab Effective Against MS in Phase II Trial – MedPage Today, 02/13/2008
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14.02.2008