The therapeutic effect of ofatumumab in pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis: A case series

Heliyon. 2024 Nov 23;10(23):e40680. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40680. eCollection 2024 Dec 15.

Abstract

Ofatumumab (OFA) is an anti-CD20 antibody. We assessed the therapeutic potential of OFA in five pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients who showed poor responses to the first-line immunotherapy. OFA treatment showed clinical improvement including alleviation of clinical symptoms and mRS decrease accompanied by anti-NMDAR antibody turning negative in 3 patients and decline in 2 patients. And all patients achieved B cell depletion after OFA treatment. During follow-up, all patients' symptoms were stable. OFA treatment is safe and effective, easy to administer, and favorable for pediatric anti-NMDAE encephalitis patients who are refractory to the first-line immunotherapy.

Keywords: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis; Children; Ofatumumab; Refractory.

Publication types

  • Case Reports