Rituximab-induced serum sickness in multiple sclerosis patients

Publication date: Available online 17 September 2019Source: Multiple Sclerosis and Related DisordersAuthor(s): Andrew B. Wolf, Lana Zhovtis Ryerson, Krupa Pandey, Brett M. McGettigan, Timothy Vollmer, John R. Corboy, Enrique AlvarezAbstractRituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that is an effective therapy for multiple sclerosis. Rituximab has been associated with the development of serum sickness (type III hypersensitivity) characterized by arthralgia, fever, and rash during the treatment of other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Here we describe serum sickness associated with rituximab in multiple sclerosis patients and discuss both the management of serum sickness itself and implications for utilizing alternative anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies for disease management in this patient population.
Source: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders - Category: Neurology Source Type: research