Rituximab, an approved treatment for certain blood cancers, works to deplete B-cells a type of immune cell known to drive inflammation in MS by targeting a protein on their surface called CD20. Investigational for MS, it has been tested in clinical trials, and is often used off-label to treat patients.
Data from a 48-week Phase 2 study (NCT00097188) in RRMS patients showed that rituximab suppressed their inflammatory disease activity. Other studies have also shown that rituximab is a safe and effective treatment option, with a low discontinuation rate.
But data are limited concerning the effects of stopping the therapy or dropping annual doses below 1,000 mg.