Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To explore the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab in the treatment of refractory anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in children, and to provide reference for the treatment of this disease.
METHODS The clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment, safety and efficacy of tocilizumab in a case of refractory anti-NMDAR encephalitis in Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were analyzed retrospectively, and the relevant literature was reviewed.
RESULTS The clinical symptoms of the patient were not improved after 2 doses of methylprednisolone, immunoglobulin and 6 doses of rituximab. After 6 doses of tocilizumab, the modified Rankin scale(mRS) score was improved without adverse reactions.
CONCLUSION Tocilizumab, as a escalation second-line immunotherapy, is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of refractory anti-NMDAR encephalitis. It is one of the potential therapeutic means.