| 1. |
- Jons, Daniel, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Early hematopoiesis in multiple sclerosis patients
- 2016
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In: Journal of Neuroimmunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-5728. ; 299, s. 158-163
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Contemporary evidence supports that MS immunopathology starts in the peripheral lymphatic system. However, the site and character of crucial initiating events are unknown. We examined subsets of the first stages of blood cells in the bone marrow of 9 MS patients and 11 neurologically healthy controls using FACS analysis. The proportion of natural killer T cells was lower (P = 0.045) in the bone marrow of MS patients, but proportions of hematogenous stem cells, myeloblasts, and B cell precursor subsets in the bone marrow did not differ between MS patients and controls. In this pilot study with a limited number of samples we found no deviation of the early B cell lineage in bone marrow from MS patients. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Biström, Martin, et al.
(author)
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Epstein-Barr virus infection after adolescence and Human herpesvirus 6A as risk factors for multiple sclerosis
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Neurology. - : Blackwell Publishing. - 1351-5101 .- 1468-1331. ; 28:2, s. 579-586
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and purpose: Infections with human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) have been linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) development. For EBV, late infection has been proposed as a risk factor, but serological support is lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate how age affects the EBV and HHV-6A associated risks of developing MS.Methods: In this nested case–control study, Swedish biobanks were accessed to find pre-symptomatically collected blood samples from 670 individuals who later developed relapsing MS and 670 matched controls. A bead-based multiplex assay was used to determine serological response against EBV and HHV-6A. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.Results: Seropositivity against EBV exhibited a pattern where associations switched from a decreased risk of developing MS in the group below 20 years of age to an increased risk amongst individuals aged 20–29 and 30–39 years (p for trend 0.020). The age of transition was estimated to be 18.8 years. In contrast, HHV-6A was associated with increased MS risk in all age groups (total cohort odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.6–2.7).Conclusions: This study suggests EBV infection after adolescence and age independent HHV-6A infection as risk factors for MS.
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| 3. |
- Biström, Martin, et al.
(author)
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High serum concentration of vitamin D may protect against multiple sclerosis
- 2019
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In: Multiple Sclerosis Journal, Experimental, Translational and Clinical. - : Sage Publications. - 2055-2173. ; 5:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: High 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations have been associated with a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis, with indications of a stronger effect among young individuals.Objective: Investigate the 25-hydroxyvitamin D association with multiple sclerosis and test if this association is age dependent.Methods: Prospectively drawn blood samples from individuals later developing relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and controls matched for biobank, sex, age and date of sampling, were analysed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.Results: High levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (top quintile) were associated with a reduced multiple sclerosis risk (odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.93).Conclusion: These findings further support a role for vitamin D in MS aetiology.
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| 4. |
- Biström, Martin, 1982-, et al.
(author)
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Leptin levels are associated with multiple sclerosis risk
- 2021
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In: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 27:1, s. 19-27
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Obesity early in life has been linked to increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Leptin and insulin are both associated with obesity, making them suitable candidates for investigating this connection. Objective: To determine if leptin and insulin are risk factors for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: In this nested case-control study using blood samples from Swedish biobanks, we compared concentrations of leptin and insulin in 649 individuals who later developed RRMS with 649 controls matched for biobank, sex, age and date of sampling. Only pre-symptomatically drawn samples from individuals below the age of 40 years were included. Conditional logistic regression was performed on z-scored values to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A 1-unit leptin z-score increase was associated with increased risk of MS in individuals younger than 20 years (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.9) and in all men (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-2.0). In contrast, for women aged 30-39 years, there was a lower risk of MS with increased leptin levels (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.54-1.0) when adjusting for insulin levels. Conclusion: We show that the pro-inflammatory adipokine leptin is a risk factor for MS among young individuals.
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| 5. |
- Constantinescu, Radu, 1966, et al.
(author)
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Cerebrospinal fluid markers of neuronal and glial cell damage in patients with autoimmune neurologic syndromes with and without underlying malignancies.
- 2017
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In: Journal of neuroimmunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-8421 .- 0165-5728. ; 306, s. 25-30
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Autoimmune neurologic syndromes can be paraneoplastic (associated with malignancies and/or onconeural antibodies), or non-paraneoplastic. Their clinical presentation is often similar. As prognosis is related to malignancy treatment, better biomarkers are needed to identify patients with malignancy. We investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of neuronal (neurofilament light chain, NFL and total tau protein, T-tau) and glial (glial fibrillary acidic protein) damage. CSF-NFL and T-tau were increased in both paraneoplastic and non-paraneoplastic autoimmune syndromes. Patients with manifest malignancies were older, had less epilepsy, more focal central and peripheral neurological signs and symptoms, and worse long-term outcome, than those without malignancy. CSF-NFL-levels predicted long-term outcome but were not diagnostic for malignancy, after age adjustment.
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| 6. |
- Engdahl, Elin, et al.
(author)
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Increased Serological Response Against Human Herpesvirus 6A Is Associated With Risk for Multiple Sclerosis
- 2019
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-3224. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Human herpesvirus (HHV)-6A or HHV-6B involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS) etiology has remained controversial mainly due to the lack of serological methods that can distinguish the two viruses. A novel multiplex serological assay measuring IgG reactivity against the immediate-early protein 1 from HHV-6A (IE1A) and HHV-6B (IE1B) was used in a MS cohort (8,742 persons with MS and 7,215 matched controls), and a pre-MS cohort (478 individuals and 476 matched controls) to investigate this further. The IgG response against IE1A was positively associated with MS (OR = 1.55, p = 9 × 10-22), and increased risk of future MS (OR = 2.22, p = 2 × 10-5). An interaction was observed between IE1A and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody responses for MS risk (attributable proportion = 0.24, p = 6 × 10-6). In contrast, the IgG response against IE1B was negatively associated with MS (OR = 0.74, p = 6 × 10-11). The association did not differ between MS subtypes or vary with severity of disease. The genetic control of HHV-6A/B antibody responses were located to the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) region and the strongest association for IE1A was the DRB1*13:01-DQA1*01:03-DQB1*06:03 haplotype while the main association for IE1B was DRB1*13:02-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*06:04. In conclusion a role for HHV-6A in MS etiology is supported by an increased serological response against HHV-6A IE1 protein, an interaction with EBV, and an association to HLA genes.
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| 7. |
- Grut, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Free vitamin D3 index and vitamin D-binding protein in multiple sclerosis : A presymptomatic case-control study
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Neurology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1351-5101 .- 1468-1331. ; 29:8, s. 2335-2342
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3 ) are associated with a lower risk for multiple sclerosis (MS). The bioavailability of 25(OH)D3 is regulated by its main plasma carrier, vitamin D-binding protein (DBP). Free 25(OH)D3 can be estimated by also measuring DBP concentration. In addition, DBP has immunomodulatory functions that may independently affect MS pathogenesis. No previous studies have assessed free 25(OH)D3 or DBP in presymptomatically collected samples. This study was undertaken to assess free 25(OH)D3 and DBP as risk factors for MS.METHODS: A nested case-control study was performed with presymptomatic serum samples identified through cross-linkage of MS registries and Swedish biobanks. Concentration of 25(OH)D3 was measured with liquid chromatography and DBP levels with sandwich immunoassay. Free 25(OH)D3 was approximated as free vitamin D3 index: (25[OH]D3 /DBP) × 103 . MS risk was analyzed by conditional logistic regression, calculating odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).RESULTS: Serum samples from 660 pairs of matched cases and controls were included. At <20 years of age, high levels of free vitamin D3 index were associated with a lower risk of MS (highest vs. lowest quintile: OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.15-0.91, p for trend across quintiles = 0.04). At age 30-39 years, high levels of DBP were associated with a lower MS risk (highest vs. lowest quintile: OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.15-0.85, p for trend = 0.02).CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the hypothesis that high levels of free 25(OH)D3 at a young age reduce the risk of MS later in life. They also implicate a role for DBP in MS etiology.
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| 8. |
- Grut, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Interactions between high seroreactivity to human herpes virus 6A and Epstein–Barr virus in MS development : a presymptomatic case–control study
- 2024
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In: Annals of Neurology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0364-5134 .- 1531-8249. ; 96:2, s. 302-305
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Synergistic interactions between human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are hypothesized in the etiopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study investigated if HHV-6A and EBV seroreactivities interact regarding the risk of developing MS. Antibodies against viral antigens were analyzed in biobank samples from 670 individuals who later developed MS and matched controls. Additive interactions were analyzed. A significant interaction between HHV-6A and EBNA-1 seroreactivities was observed in study participants above the median age of 24.9 years (attributable proportion due to interaction = 0.45). This finding supports the hypothesis that HHV-6A and EBV infections interact in MS development. ANN NEUROL 2024.
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| 9. |
- Grut, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Systemic inflammation and risk of multiple sclerosis – A presymptomatic case-control study
- 2022
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In: Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical. - : SAGE Publications. - 2055-2173. ; 8:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of systemic inflammation. Increased levels of CRP in young persons have been suggested to decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Objectives: To assess CRP as a risk factor for MS. Methods: Levels of CRP were measured with a high-sensitive immunoassay in biobank samples from 837 individuals who later developed MS and 984 matched controls. The risk of developing MS was analysed by conditional logistic regression on z-scored CRP values. Results: Levels of CRP were not associated with MS risk. Conclusions: We found no association between CRP levels and risk of MS development.
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| 10. |
- Jons, Daniel, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Axonal injury in asymptomatic individuals preceding onset of multiple sclerosis
- 2022
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In: Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. - : Wiley. - 2328-9503. ; 9:6, s. 882-887
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Axonal loss is the main cause of irreversible disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum neurofilament light (sNfL) is a biomarker of axonal disintegration. In this nested case-control study, blood samples from 519 presymptomatic persons (age range 4-39 years) who later received an MS diagnosis showed higher sNfL concentrations than 519 matched controls (p < 0.0001), noticeable at least 10 years before clinical MS onset. Mean values for pre-MS and control groups were 9.6 pg/mL versus 7.4 pg/mL 0-5 years before onset, and 6.4 pg/mL versus 5.8 pg/mL 5-10 years before onset. These results support that axonal injury occurs early in MS pathogenesis.
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| 11. |
- Jons, Daniel, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Follow-up after infectious mononucleosis in search of serological similarities with presymptomatic multiple sclerosis
- 2021
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In: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 2211-0348 .- 2211-0356. ; 56
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: : A two- to three-fold increase in the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) after infectious mononucleosis (IM) has been observed in cohort and case control studies. However, this association has not been investigated prospectively from IM. It remains to be determined whether long-term immunospecific sequelae with features consistent with presymptomatic MS occur after IM. Methods: : Sera were obtained from individuals with acute IM from 2003-2007 (n = 42) and from the same individuals at a follow-up (FU) study approximately 10 years after IM. These were assayed for antibodies against a variety of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens, including gp350, a novel recombinant glycoprotein from the EBV envelope. Similarly, single-protein antigens were used to assess measles and varicella-zoster reactivity (Ncore and varicella-zoster glycoprotein E [VZVgE]). The FU study also included cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 21 of these individuals to test for IgG antibodies against the same viral antigens. As controls, CSF and serum samples were obtained from 15 EBV-seropositive volunteers who denied a history of IM, and serum samples were obtained from 24 EBV-seropositive blood donors. Anti-gp350, anti-Ncore and anti-VZVgE IgG levels were also analysed in sera and CSF samples from 22 persons with MS. Results: : The FU assays showed higher anti-gp350 IgG (p = 0.007, univariate) than among healthy controls, with no difference in serum anti-VCA or anti-EBNA1 IgG levels and no difference in anti-gp350 in the CSF samples. Anti-Ncore IgG and anti-VZVgE were higher in acute IM samples (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively) than at FU, although anti-Ncore remained heightened in an age-adjusted analysis at FU (p = 0.014) compared to the control group. In the MS group, the serum anti-gp350 and anti-Ncore IgG levels were significantly higher than among the control group, but the anti-VZVgE levels were not. The CSF anti-gp350 and VZVgE levels were slightly higher among persons with MS than among the control group, whereas anti-Ncore IgG was markedly higher in persons with MS than in the control group. Conclusion: : In the present study IM showed certain similarities with MS. Increased anti-gp350 reactivity persisted more than a decade after IM, reminiscent of the established increased anti-EBV reactivity in presymptomatic MS. Acute IM was associated with increased anti-measles and anti-VZV immunoreactivity, similar to the MRZ reaction in MS, with some evidence suggesting that this measles reactivity persisted after a decade.
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| 12. |
- Jons, Daniel, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Intrathecal immunoreactivity in people with or without previous infectious mononucleosis
- 2020
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In: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0001-6314 .- 1600-0404. ; 142:2, s. 161-168
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) increases (OR: 3.1) after infectious mononucleosis (IM). However, the nature of this link is obscure. We tested the hypothesis that IM might incur long-term sequelae, including low-key inflammatory activity, with characteristics of an MS endophenotype (or presymptomatic trait) and that assays of MS-relevant cyto-/chemokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) post-IM may show a trend in this direction.Materials and methods: We selected seven CSF cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, YKL-40, TNF-alpha) or chemokines (IL-8, CCL2, IP-10), representing pro-inflammatory factors previously associated with MS. We assayed the CSF levels of these seven cyto-/chemokines in healthy individuals with a median follow-up time of 10 years after serologically confirmed IM (post-IM group, n = 22), and in healthy controls without a history of IM (n = 19). A group of MS patients (n = 23) were included as reference.Results: The CSF levels of IP-10, YKL-40, and CCL-2 were higher in the post-IM group than in our IM unexposed controls (P = .021, .049, .028). Seven of seven cyto-/chemokine assays showed a trend in the predicted direction (Pof binomial ratio = .008). However, this trend was non-significant in a multivariate test (P = .22). A power analysis indicated that similar studies including a larger cohort would be numerically realistic.Conclusions: These results do not reject the hypothesis that the established epidemiological association between IM and MS results from a stepwise inflammatory propagation from IM sequelae to an MS endophenotype (or presymptomatic trait) in a proportion of IM patients, pending confirmation with adequate power.
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| 13. |
- Jons, Daniel, 1974
(author)
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Investigations into the role of Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis
- 2022
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection may be a prerequisite for the development of MS. Virtually all MS patients have antibodies to Epstein Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1), compared to 90-95% of healthy individuals. This antibody response is increased both in pre-symptomatic and manifest MS. Infectious mononucleosis (IM) the symptomatic variant of primary EBV infection of adolescence, doubles the risk of future MS. This thesis investigates the EBV-MS connection both by studying individuals with the risk factor for MS of previous IM and by investigating samples acquired prior to MS onset. It aims at determining the temporal relationship between neuroaxonal damage and EBV antibody response before MS onset and searches for an immunological residual state after IM. The first paper examined B cell populations in bone marrow from MS patients. Two papers were follow-up studies that investigated individuals for persistent immunological activity a decade after IM. We assayed seven selected cytokines and chemokines in the CSF (study II), and antibody reactivity to EBV, Measles and Varicella zoster in sera and CSF (study III). Two nested case– control studies (IV and V), of 669 pre-symptomatically acquired blood samples from individuals who later developed MS, investigated the marker of neuroaxonal damage, serum neurofilament light (sNfL), and several anti-EBV antibodies. No deviations in early B cell lineages were found in MS bone marrow. SNfL concentrations were increased in pre-MS compared to matched controls (p < 0.0001). The increase started approximately 10 years before MS onset, significant from 5-10 years before onset (p = 0.02), with increasing difference over time. Anti-EBNA1 reactivity showed an increase in pre-MS compared to controls from 10–15 years before onset (p = 0.001) and did not increase over time. In the pre-MS group, the percentage of samples with an increased sNfL were concentrated to the EBV positive group compared to the EBV negative group (p = 0.038). EBVgp350 antibodies were elevated 10 years after IM (p = 0.007), while no significant increase in CSF cytokines was detectable with low power after IM. In conclusion, neuroaxonal damage is detectable 10 years before MS onset but still preceded by an EBV serological response. We observed less neuroaxonal damage in the small group of EBV negative samples acquired before MS. This strengthens the connection between a previous EBV infection and the start of neuroaxonal damage in pre-symptomatic MS.
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| 14. |
- Jons, Daniel, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Seroreactivity against lytic, latent and possible cross-reactive EBV antigens appears on average 10 years before MS induced preclinical neuroaxonal damage
- 2023
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In: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1468-330X .- 0022-3050. ; 95
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and presymptomatic axonal injury appear to develop only after an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This association remains to be confirmed across a broad preclinical time range, for lytic and latent EBV seroreactivity, and for potential cross-reacting antigens. Methods: We performed a case-control study with 669 individual serum samples obtained before clinical MS onset, identified through cross-linkage with the Swedish MS register. We assayed antibodies against EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1), viral capsid antigen p18, glycoprotein 350 (gp350), the potential cross-reacting protein anoctamin 2 (ANO2) and the level of sNfL, a marker of axonal injury. Results: EBNA1 (latency) seroreactivity increased in the pre-MS group, at 15-20 years before clinical MS onset, followed by gp350 (lytic) seroreactivity (p=0.001-0.009), ANO2 seropositivity appeared shortly after EBNA1-seropositivity in 16.7% of pre-MS cases and 10.0% of controls (p=0.001).With an average lag of almost a decade after EBV, sNfL gradually increased, mainly in the increasing subgroup of seropositive pre-MS cases (p=8.10-5 compared with non-MS controls). Seropositive pre-MS cases reached higher sNfL levels than seronegative pre-MS (p=0.038). In the EBNA1-seropositive pre-MS group, ANO2 seropositive cases had 26% higher sNfL level (p=0.0026). Conclusions: Seroreactivity against latent and lytic EBV antigens, and in a subset ANO2, was detectable on average a decade before the appearance of a gradually increasing axonal injury occurring in the last decade before the onset of clinical MS. These findings strengthen the hypothesis of latent EBV involvement in the pathogenesis of MS.
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| 15. |
- Jons, Daniel, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Targeting Epstein-Barr virus infection as an intervention against multiple sclerosis
- 2015
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In: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0001-6314 .- 1600-0404. ; 131:2, s. 69-79
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We here review contemporary data on genetic and environmental risk factors, particularly Epstein-Barr virus infection, for multiple sclerosis. There is an important immunogenetic etiological factor for multiple sclerosis. However, a general assumption is that immune defense genes are activated by the environment, basically by infections. We contend that the relationship between infectious mononucleosis and multiple sclerosis cannot be completely explained by genetics and inverse causality. Epstein-Barr infection as indicated by positive serology is an obligatory precondition for multiple sclerosis, which is a stronger attribute than a risk factor only. Data on events in the early pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis are cumulating from bio-banks with presymptomatic specimens, but there is only little information from the critical age when Epstein-Barr infection including infectious mononucleosis is acquired, nor on the detailed immunological consequences of this infection in individuals with and without multiple sclerosis. We discuss how focused bio-banking may elaborate a rationale for the development of treatment or vaccination against Epstein-Barr virus infection. A cohort in which intervention against Epstein-Barr infections was performed should be the object of neurological follow-up.
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| 16. |
- Petersson, M., et al.
(author)
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Patient-Reported Symptom Severity in a Nationwide Myasthenia Gravis Cohort Cross-sectional Analysis of the Swedish GEMG Study
- 2021
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In: Neurology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0028-3878 .- 1526-632X. ; 97:14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Objectives To describe myasthenia gravis activities of daily living (MG-ADL) in relation to clinical characteristics in a large Swedish nationwide cohort. Methods In a cross-sectional prevalence cohort study, the Genes and Environment in Myasthenia Gravis study, performed from November 2018 through August 2019, patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) were invited to submit an extensive 106-item life environment questionnaire, including the MG-ADL score. Patients were classified into early-onset MG (EOMG, <50 years), late-onset MG (LOMG, >= 50 years), or thymoma-associated MG (TAMG). Comparisons of disease-specific characteristics were made between subgroups, sexes, and different MG-ADL scores. Results A total of 1,077 patients were included, yielding a 74% response rate: 505 (47%) were classified as EOMG, 520 (48%) LOMG, and 45 (4%) TAMG. Mean age at inclusion was 64.3 years (SD 15.7) and mean disease duration was 14.6 years (SD 14.0). Complete MG-ADL scores (n = 1,035) ranged from 0p to 18p, where 26% reported a score of 0p. Higher MG-ADL scores were associated with female sex, obesity, and diagnostic delay (odds ratio [OR] 1.62, 1.72, and 1.69; p(adj) = 0.017, 0.013, and 0.008) and inversely correlated with high educational attainment (OR 0.59; p(adj) = 0.02), but not with age at inclusion, disease subtype, or disease duration. Almost half of the population (47%) reported MG-ADL >= 3p, corresponding to an unsatisfactory symptom state. Discussion In this nationwide study, comprising more than 40% of the prevalent MG population in Sweden, almost half of the patients reported current disease symptoms associated with an unsatisfactory symptom state, indicating the need for improved treatment options.
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| 17. |
- Piehl, F., et al.
(author)
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Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab for New-Onset Generalized Myasthenia Gravis The RINOMAX Randomized Clinical Trial
- 2022
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In: Jama Neurology. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 2168-6149 .- 2168-6157.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IMPORTANCE Rituximab is a third-line option for refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) based on empirical evidence, but its effect in new-onset disease is unknown. OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab compared with placebo as an add-on to standard of care for MG. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study took place throughout 48 weeks at 7 regional clinics in Sweden. Key inclusion criteria were age older than 18 years, onset of generalized symptoms within 12 months or less, and a Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score of 6 or more. Patients were screened from October 20, 2016, to March 2, 2020. Key exclusion criteria included pure ocular MG, suspected thymoma, previous thymectomy, and prior noncorticosteroid immunosuppressants or high doses of corticosteroids. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized 1:1 without stratification to a single intravenous infusion of 500 mg of rituximab or matching placebo. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Minimal disease manifestations at 16 weeks defined as a QMG score of 4 or less with prednisolone, 10 mg or less daily, and no rescue treatment. RESULTS Of 87 potentially eligible patients, 25 were randomized to rituximab (mean [SD] age, 67.4 [13.4] years; 7 [28%] female) and 22 to placebo (mean [SD] age, 58 [18.6] years; 7 [32%] female). Compared with placebo, a greater proportion with rituximab met the primary end point; 71% (17 of 24) in the rituximab group vs 29% (6 of 21) in the placebo group (Fisher exact test P = .007; probability ratio, 2.48 [95% CI, 1.20-5.11]). Secondary end points, comparing changes in Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living and Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life at 16 weeks with QMG at 24 weeks did not differ between groups with censoring for rescue treatment (per-protocol analysis) but were in favor of active treatment when rescue treatment was taken into account by worst rank imputation (post hoc analysis). Rescue treatments were also more frequent in the placebo arm (rituximab: 1 [4%]; placebo, 8 [36%]). One patient in the placebo arm had a myocardial infarction with cardiac arrest and 1 patient in the active arm experienced a fatal cardiac event. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE A single dose of 500 mg of rituximab was associated with greater probability of minimal MG manifestations and reduced need of rescue medications compared with placebo. Further studies are needed to address long-term benefit-risk balance with this treatment.
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