Advances in rituximab treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction caused by circulating antibodies specific for the post-synaptic receptor.It results in neuromuscular transmission disorders.After optimal treatment with standard drugs, most myasthenia gravis patients can achieve a good life quality.Part of patients cannot get stable clinical remission or minimal manifestation with standard therapy.Rituximab is a chimeric mouse/human antibody specific for the CD20 B-cell surface antigen.Studies have showed that rituximab is effective in the refractory myasthenia gravis.This review mainly discusses about the advances of rituximab in the treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis. Key words: Refractory myasthenia gravis; Rituximab