The Effect of Rituximab on Cognitive and Hand Functions in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to know if rituximab can improve cognitive and hand functions in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients with high disability (EDSS 6.5 or more). The main questions it aims to answer are: Can rituximab improve cognitive and hand functions in SPMS patients? Can rituximab improve the quality of life and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in SPMS patients? Researchers will compare patients who receive rituximab to patient who receive placebo to see the effects of rituximab on cognition, hand functions, quality of life and EDSS. Demographic and clinical data as age, gender, disease duration and EDSS will be obtained from each participant. Participants will perform The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS), The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) and The MS-QLQ27 questionnaire at baseline and after one year of receiving either rituximab or placebo.

Timeline

Start

2024-08-01

Primary completion

2026-09

Completion

2026-09

Publications

• Background Carpinella I, Cattaneo D, Ferrarin M. Quantitative assessment of upper limb motor function in Multiple Sclerosis using an instrumented Action Research Arm Test. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2014 Apr 18;11:67. doi: 10.1186/1743-0003-11-67.
• Background Torgauten HM, Myhr KM, Wergeland S, Bo L, Aarseth JH, Torkildsen O. Safety and efficacy of rituximab as first- and second line treatment in multiple sclerosis - A cohort study. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2021 Jan 31;7(1):2055217320973049. doi: 10.1177/2055217320973049. eCollection 2021 Jan-Mar.
• Background Salehizadeh S, Saeedi R, Sahraian MA, Rezaei Aliabadi H, Hashemi SN, Eskandarieh S, Gheini MR, Shahmirzaei S, Owji M, Naser Moghadasi A. Effect of Rituximab on the cognitive impairment in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Caspian J Intern Med. 2022 Summer;13(3):484-489. doi: 10.22088/cjim.13.3.484.
• Background Naegelin Y, Naegelin P, von Felten S, Lorscheider J, Sonder J, Uitdehaag BMJ, Scotti B, Zecca C, Gobbi C, Kappos L, Derfuss T. Association of Rituximab Treatment With Disability Progression Among Patients With Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. JAMA Neurol. 2019 Mar 1;76(3):274-281. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.4239.
• Background Brochet B, Clavelou P, Defer G, De Seze J, Louapre C, Magnin E, Ruet A, Thomas-Anterion C, Vermersch P. Cognitive Impairment in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Effect of Disease Duration, Age, and Progressive Phenotype. Brain Sci. 2022 Jan 29;12(2):183. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12020183.

Drugs

Indications