Low-dose rituximab treatment for new-onset generalized myasthenia gravis.

Abstract The aim of this retrospective case series study was to evaluate the response and durability of rituximab in patients with new-onset acetylcholine receptor positive (AChR +) generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). Patients were initiated with low-dose rituximab treatment within 3.5 months of onset without concomitant oral immunosuppressants. Seventeen patients (89%) remained relapse-free with a mean follow-up of 51.3 months. Clinical improvement was observed in parallel with the maintenance of low-dose corticosteroids or the complete discontinuation of corticosteroids. Long-term depletion of B cells with low-dose rituximab treatment has shown favorable efficacy and tolerance in reducing disease activity for AChR+ generalized MG.