IgM antibody-related polyneuropathies: B-cell depletion chemotherapy using Rituximab

Current treatments for anti-GM1 ganglioside or antimyelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG) antibody-associated polyneuropathies are toxic or very costly. In this preliminary study the authors treated five patients with neuropathy and immunoglobulin M antibodies to GM1 ganglioside or MAG by depleting B cells using Rituximab--a monoclonal antibody directed against the B-cell surface membrane marker CD20. Within 3 to 6 months after treatment, all five patients had improved function, significantly increased quantitative strength measurements, and reduced titers of serum autoantibodies.