Sustained Low Relapse Rate With Highly Variable B-Cell Repopulation Dynamics With Extended Rituximab Dosing Intervals in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

In this prospective cohort of rituximab-treated patients with RRMS exposed to extended dosing intervals, we could not detect a relation between clinical or neuroradiologic disease activity and time since last infusion. Total B- and memory B-cell repopulation kinetics varied considerably. These findings, relevant for assessing risk-mitigation strategies with anti-CD20 therapies in RRMS, suggest that relapse risk remains low with extended infusion intervals. Further studies are needed to investigate the relation between B-cell repopulation dynamics and adverse event risks associated with B-cell depletion.