Cross-sectional Study in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Anti-CD20 Therapy
The study explored the effects of anti-CD20 therapy (ocrelizumab) in MS patients, finding that it depleted certain B cells while sparing others. Treated patients showed normalized immune responses, contrasting with untreated patients who had elevated inflammatory markers and impaired immune function. EBV-specific CD4+ T-cell counts were lower in treated patients, but responses to other viruses remained similar across groups.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
These findings suggest that anti-CD20 therapy impacts various immune responses in MS. By understanding how this therapy alters immune function, researchers can better comprehend its potential effects on disease progression and neuroaxonal damage, as indicated by biomarkers like MCP-3.
What this does not prove
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal interpretations, and the small sample size for certain groups may affect the reliability of the results.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-15
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceAntiviral and inflammatory immune signatures in anti-CD20-treated multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study. ↗DOI: 10.1007/s00415-026-14202-4
Supporting passages (8)
interventionAnti-CD20 therapy acts on immune circuits beyond B cells, selectively contracting EBV-directed helper T-cell immunity while sparing other antiviral responses, and identifies MCP-3 as a candidate blood marker associated with neuroaxonal injury in pwMS.
findingsAnti-CD20 therapy depleted total and switched-memory B cells while sparing antibody-secreting cells and reduced absolute counts of follicular helper T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells.
findingsAnti-CD20 therapy depleted total and switched-memory B cells while sparing antibody-secreting cells and reduced absolute counts of follicular helper T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells.
findingsUntreated patients with MS (pwMS) showed elevated monocyte interleukin-1β and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) and impaired pDC cell interferon-α production, whereas pDC IFN-α responses in ocrelizumab-treated pwMS were comparable to those in HD.
findingsEBV-specific CD4+ T-cell counts and stimulation index were selectively lower ocrelizumab-treated pwMS, whereas CMV- and SARS-CoV-2-specific responses were comparable across groups.
findingssNfL was elevated in untreated pwMS and correlated with MCP-3 at baseline and after EBV stimulation.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-15
limitationsTitle: Antiviral and inflammatory immune signatures in anti-CD20-treated multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.
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