Rituximab-Rescue Therapy in Autoimmune Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Demyelinating diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and cases of long segment myelitis, neuromuscular disease like Myasthenia Gravis and Autoimmune Encephalitis have an autoimmune basis and occur in a relapsing remitting course. Achieving and maintaining remission in these patients is quite challenging. Steroids are used for maintaining remission, but its metabolic side effects ultimately are deleterious to the patient. Immunomodulators for remission and Gamma globulin for acute exacerbations are used but are an expensive mode of treatment. All patients may not be able to afford them.