IgM antibody-related polyneuropathies: B-cell depletion chemotherapy usingRituximab

Current treatments for anti-GM1 ganglioside or antimyelin-associated glycop rotein (anti-MAG) antibody-associated polyneuropathies are toxic or very co stly. In this preliminary study the authors treated five patients with neur opathy and immunoglobulin M antibodies to GM1 ganglioside or MAG by depleti ng B cells using Rituximab-a monoclonal antibody directed against the B-cel l surface membrane marker CD20. Within 3 to 6 months after treatment, all f ive patients had improved function, significantly increased quantitative st rength measurements, and reduced titers of serum autoantibodies.