Plasma cell depletion with bortezomib in the treatment of refractory <i>N</i>‐methyl‐<scp>d</scp>‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibody encephalitis. Rational developments in neuroimmunological treatment

Abstract

Bortezomib's unique ability to target long-lived autoreactive plasma cells appears to be a useful adjunct to standard second line immunosuppressive therapy in treatment-refractory NMDAR antibody encephalitis. The drug's pharmacodynamics, cell targeting and mechanism of action are reviewed, and it is postulated that bortezomib may be useful in a host of B-cell-driven neuroimmunological diseases.