Rituximab in Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

To the Editor: Hauser et al. (Feb. 14 issue)1 report positive results of a phase 2 trial of rituximab in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. I wish to draw attention to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) public health advisory concerning rituximab.2 This advisory was recently updated after the reported deaths from progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy of two patients who were treated with rituximab for systemic lupus erythematosus. Keeping pace with the use of more potent and specific immunosuppressant agents, the incidence of opportunistic infections such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy seems to be increasing. In clinical trials of natalizumab for the treatment of . . .