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[[File:Øystein Fluge.png|200px|right|Source:InvestinME]]
[[File:Øystein Fluge.png|200px|right|Source:InvestinME]]
'''Øystein Fluge''', MD, is the Senior Consultant supervising the [[ME/CFS]] research group at the Department of Oncology and Medical Physics at the University of Bergen, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.omf.ngo/people/oystein-fluge-md-phd-olav-mella-md-phd/|title=Øystein Fluge, MD, PhD & Olav Mella, MD, PhD|website=Open Medicine Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> He worked with Professor [[Olav Mella]] in the Norwegian [[Rituximab]] and [[cyclophosphamide]] trials employing the depletion of [[B cell]] [[lymphocyte]]s in [[ME/CFS]] patients.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://helse-bergen.no/en/avdelinger/kreftbehandling-og-medisinsk-fysikk/research-and-development/mecfs-research|title=ME/CFS research|website=Helse Bergen|language=en|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref>  
'''Øystein Fluge''', MD, is the Senior Consultant supervising the [[ME/CFS]] research group at the Department of Oncology and Medical Physics at the University of Bergen, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.omf.ngo/people/oystein-fluge-md-phd-olav-mella-md-phd/ | title = Øystein Fluge, MD, PhD & Olav Mella, MD, PhD|website=Open Medicine Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=Oct 10, 2019}}</ref> He worked with Professor [[Olav Mella]] in the Norwegian [[Rituximab]] and [[cyclophosphamide]] trials employing the depletion of [[B cell]] [[lymphocyte]]s in [[ME/CFS]] patients.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://helse-bergen.no/en/avdelinger/kreftbehandling-og-medisinsk-fysikk/research-and-development/mecfs-research | title = ME/CFS research | website = Helse Bergen|language=no|access-date=Oct 10, 2019}}</ref>  
   
   
Dr. Fluge is a member of the Working Group which offers their expertise and resources to the [[ME/CFS Collaborative Research Center at Stanford University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bos.etapestry.com/prod/viewEmailAsPage.do?erRef=773.0.423082047&databaseId=OMF&mailingId=34274682&jobRef=773.0.506425459&key=b6b9237b3ebd1e462a5d11dbc5c4dae&personaRef=773.0.423082048&memberId=1348639685|title=OMF grants $1.2M to Ramp Up Collaborative Research Center at Stanford University|website=bos.etapestry.com|access-date=2019-09-12}}</ref>
Dr. Fluge is a member of the Working Group which offers their expertise and resources to the [[ME/CFS Collaborative Research Center at Stanford University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bos.etapestry.com/prod/viewEmailAsPage.do?erRef=773.0.423082047&databaseId=OMF&mailingId=34274682&jobRef=773.0.506425459&key=b6b9237b3ebd1e462a5d11dbc5c4dae&personaRef=773.0.423082048&memberId=1348639685 | title = OMF grants $1.2M to Ramp Up Collaborative Research Center at Stanford University|website=bos.etapestry.com|access-date=Sep 12, 2019}}</ref>


==Rituximab work in ME/CFS==
==Rituximab work in ME/CFS==
Øystein Fluge's and Olav Mella's discovery was found by accident, in that three ME/CFS patients who had B-cell lymphoma improved remarkably following treatment with [[Rituximab]]. Not only had their lymphomas improved, but all symptoms of their ME/CFS diminished with the treatment. The positive responses were delayed for up to 6-12 weeks, despite their B cells being eliminated by the drug in 2 weeks. Since that accidental discovery, a larger study has been undertaken. Initial reports were promising in that there is a positive response in 67% of the patients receiving Rituximab vs a 13% improvement in the placebo group. After the effects wore off, there was a decline in the numbers who responded to the second and subsequent infusions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://investinme.org/cindex.shtml|title=Invest in ME Research - International ME Conferences and Colloquiums Home Page|website=investinme.org|access-date=2019-09-12}}</ref> The clinical trial, named [[RituxME]], was a multicenter, phase III study. It was randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled, with 152 participants, of which half will receive treatments with [[rituximab]] and the other half will be treated with placebo (saline).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://helse-bergen.no/en/avdelinger/kreftbehandling-og-medisinsk-fysikk/research-and-development/rituxme|title=RituxME|website=Helse Bergen|language=en|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref>
Øystein Fluge's and Olav Mella's discovery was found by accident, in that three ME/CFS patients who had B-cell lymphoma improved remarkably following treatment with [[Rituximab]]. Not only had their lymphomas improved, but all symptoms of their ME/CFS diminished with the treatment. The positive responses were delayed for up to 6-12 weeks, despite their B cells being eliminated by the drug in 2 weeks. Since that accidental discovery, a larger study has been undertaken. Initial reports were promising in that there is a positive response in 67% of the patients receiving Rituximab vs a 13% improvement in the placebo group. After the effects wore off, there was a decline in the numbers who responded to the second and subsequent infusions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://investinme.org/cindex.shtml | title = Invest in ME Research - International ME Conferences and Colloquiums Home Page|website=investinme.org|access-date=Sep 12, 2019}}</ref> The clinical trial, named [[RituxME]], was a multicenter, phase III study. It was randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled, with 152 participants, of which half will receive treatments with [[rituximab]] and the other half will be treated with placebo (saline).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://helse-bergen.no/en/avdelinger/kreftbehandling-og-medisinsk-fysikk/research-and-development/rituxme | title = RituxME | website = Helse Bergen|language=en|access-date=Sep 10, 2019}}</ref>


On Nov 21, 2017, Drs. Øystein Fluge and Olav Mella announced that their [[Rituximab]] trial had failed. They stated that they would focus their efforts on attempting to identify a subgroup of [[ME/CFS]] patients with an immune profile that would be responsive to [[Rituximab]]. The Drs. will publish a paper next year with the specifics of the failed trial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://simmaronresearch.com/2017/11/norwegian-rituximab-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-mecfs-trial-fails/|title=Norwegian Rituximab Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Trial Fails|date=2017-11-26|website=Simmaron Research|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-12}}</ref>
On Nov 21, 2017, Drs. Øystein Fluge and Olav Mella announced that their [[Rituximab]] trial had failed. They stated that they would focus their efforts on attempting to identify a subgroup of [[ME/CFS]] patients with an immune profile that would be responsive to [[Rituximab]]. The Drs. will publish a paper next year with the specifics of the failed trial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://simmaronresearch.com/2017/11/norwegian-rituximab-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-mecfs-trial-fails/ | title = Norwegian Rituximab Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Trial Fails| date = 2017-11-26 | website = Simmaron Research|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-12}}</ref>


The discovery of ME/CFS patients responding positively to an autoimmunity drug has radically changed how many have viewed ME/CFS, to the point that Bjørn Guldvog, the Deputy Director General of Norwegian Directorate of Health, has apologized for the way in which ME patients in Norway have been treated: "I think that we have not cared for people with ME to a great enough extent. I think it is correct to say that we have not established proper health care services for these people, and I regret that." The European ME Alliance believes that such a public apology from a governmental health agency has never occurred before.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.euro-me.org/news-Q42011-003.htm|title=European ME Alliance - Norway's Directorate of Health Apologises to ME Patients for Poor Treatment|website=www.euro-me.org|access-date=2019-09-12}}</ref>
The discovery of ME/CFS patients responding positively to an autoimmunity drug has radically changed how many have viewed ME/CFS, to the point that Bjørn Guldvog, the Deputy Director General of Norwegian Directorate of Health, has apologized for the way in which ME patients in Norway have been treated: "I think that we have not cared for people with ME to a great enough extent. I think it is correct to say that we have not established proper health care services for these people, and I regret that." The European ME Alliance believes that such a public apology from a governmental health agency has never occurred before.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.euro-me.org/news-Q42011-003.htm | title = European ME Alliance - Norway's Directorate of Health Apologises to ME Patients for Poor Treatment|website=euro-me.org|access-date=2019-09-12}}</ref>


In 2015, a second clinical trial for ME/CFS by the same group headed by Fluge and Mella, was started using the chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide. Called [[CycloME]] part A​, this study will involve 40 patients with moderate and severe ME/CFS and will be ongoing until January 2017. If the results indicate a clinically relevant response, i.e., an improvement in symptoms, in a minimum of 40% of the patients, the trial will move into CycloME part B and may be extended to include patients with very severe ME.<ref>http://www.helse-bergen.no/en/OmOss/Avdelinger/kreft/forsking-fagutvikling/Sider/CycloME.aspx</ref>  
In 2015, a second clinical trial for ME/CFS by the same group headed by Fluge and Mella, was started using the chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide. Called [[CycloME]] part A​, this study will involve 40 patients with moderate and severe ME/CFS and will be ongoing until January 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://helse-bergen.no/en/avdelinger/kreftbehandling-og-medisinsk-fysikk/research-and-development/cyclome-part-a | title = CycloME part A | website = Helse Bergen|language=no|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> If the results indicate a clinically relevant response, i.e., an improvement in symptoms, in a minimum of 40% of the patients, the trial will move into CycloME part B and may be extended to include patients with very severe ME.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://helse-bergen.no/en/avdelinger/kreftbehandling-og-medisinsk-fysikk/research-and-development/cyclome-part-b | title = CycloME part B | website = Helse Bergen|language=no|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref>  


==Talks and Interviews==
==Talks and interviews==
*2011, [http://me-pedia.org/wiki/Invest_in_ME_Conference 6th Invest in ME International ME Conference 2011 - B-cell Depletion Therapy Using Rituximab in ME/CFS - Part II]
*2011, [http://me-pedia.org/wiki/Invest_in_ME_Conference 6th Invest in ME International ME Conference 2011 - B-cell Depletion Therapy Using Rituximab in ME/CFS - Part II]
*2012, [http://www.investinme.eu/IIMEC7.shtml 7th Invest in ME International ME Conference 2011 - B-cell Depletion Therapy Using Rituximab in ME/CFS - Part II]
*2012, [http://www.investinme.org/IIMEC7.shtml 7th Invest in ME International ME Conference 2011 - B-cell Depletion Therapy Using Rituximab in ME/CFS - Part II]
*2013, [http://me-pedia.org/wiki/Invest_in_ME_Conference 8th Invest in ME International ME Conference 2012 - B-cell Depletion Therapy Using Rituximab in ME/CFS - Part II]
*2013, [http://me-pedia.org/wiki/Invest_in_ME_Conference 8th Invest in ME International ME Conference 2012 - B-cell Depletion Therapy Using Rituximab in ME/CFS - Part II]  
*2015, [http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/interviews/interview/1001217/ The Naked Scientists Podcast -"Is ME an autoimmune disease?"]
*2015, [http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/interviews/interview/1001217/ The Naked Scientists Podcast -"Is ME an autoimmune disease?"]
*2016, [http://iacfsme.org/Conferences/2016-Fort-Lauderdale/Agenda/Professional-Agenda.aspx 12th International IACFS/ME Biennial Clinical and Research Conference, Emerging Science and Clinical Care, Plenary Speaker]
*2016, [http://iacfsme.org/Conferences/2016-Fort-Lauderdale/Agenda/Professional-Agenda.aspx 12th International IACFS/ME Biennial Clinical and Research Conference, Emerging Science and Clinical Care, Plenary Speaker]
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==Notable ME/CFS Studies==
==Notable ME/CFS Studies==
*2011, Benefit from [[B cell|B-lymphocyte]] depletion using the anti-CD20 antibody [[rituximab]] in [[chronic fatigue syndrome]]. A double-blind and placebo-controlled study<ref name="Fluge, 2011" /> - [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0026358 (Full text)]
*2011, Benefit from [[B cell|B-lymphocyte]] depletion using the anti-CD20 antibody [[rituximab]] in [[chronic fatigue syndrome]]. A double-blind and placebo-controlled study<ref name="Fluge, 2011" /> - [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0026358 (Full text)]
*2015, [[B cell|B-lymphocyte]] depletion in [[ME/CFS|myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome]]. An open-label phase II study with [[rituximab]] maintenance treatment<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Fluge|first=Øystein|author-link=Øystein Fluge|last2=Risa|first2=Kristin|author-link2=|last3=Lunde|first3=Sigrid|author-link3=|last4=Alme|first4=Kine|author-link4=|last5=Rekeland|first5=Ingrid Gurvin|author-link5=|last6=Sapkota|first6=Dipak|author-link6=|last7=Kristoffersen|first7=Einar Kleboe|last8=Sørland|first8=Kari|last9=Bruland|first9=Ove|date=2015-07-01|editor-last=van der Feltz-Cornelis|editor-first=Christina|title=B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Myalgic Encephalopathy/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study with Rituximab Maintenance Treatment|url=http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0129898|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=10|issue=7|pages=e0129898|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0129898|issn=1932-6203|pmc=4488509|pmid=26132314|access-date=|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4488509/ (Full text)]
*2015, [[B cell|B-lymphocyte]] depletion in [[ME/CFS|myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome]]. An open-label phase II study with [[rituximab]] maintenance treatment<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Fluge | first = Øystein | author-link = Øystein Fluge | last2 = Risa | first2 = Kristin|author-link2 = | last3 = Lunde | first3 = Sigrid | author-link3 = | last4 = Alme | first4 = Kine | author-link4 = | last5 = Rekeland | first5 = Ingrid Gurvin | authorlink5 = |last6 = Sapkota | first6 = Dipak | authorlink6 = | last7 = Kristoffersen | first7 = Einar Kleboe | last8 = Sørland | first8 = Kari | last9 = Bruland | first9 = Ove | date = 2015-07-01 | editor-last = van der Feltz-Cornelis|editor-first = Christina | title = B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Myalgic Encephalopathy/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study with Rituximab Maintenance Treatment|url=http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0129898|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=10|issue=7| pages = e0129898|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0129898|issn=1932-6203|pmc=4488509|pmid=26132314|access-date=|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4488509/ (Full text)]
*2016, Metabolic profiling indicates impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase function in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome<ref name="Fluge, 2016" /> - [http://insight.jci.org/articles/view/89376 (Full text)]
*2016, Metabolic profiling indicates impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase function in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome<ref name="Fluge, 2016" /> - [http://insight.jci.org/articles/view/89376 (Full text)]
*2016, Serum BAFF and APRIL Levels, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, and Immunoglobulins after B-Cell Depletion Using the Monoclonal Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lunde|first=Sigrid|author-link=|last2=Kristoffersen|first2=Einar K.|author-link2=|last3=Sapkota|first3=Dipak|author-link3=|last4=Risa|first4=Kristin|author-link4=|last5=Dahl|first5=Olav|author-link5=|last6=Bruland|first6=Ove|author-link6=|last7=Mella|first7=Olav|author-link7=Olav Mella|last8=Fluge|first8=Øystein|author-link8=Øystein Fluge|date=2016-08-18|editor-last=Cordero|editor-first=Mario D.|title=Serum BAFF and APRIL Levels, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, and Immunoglobulins after B-Cell Depletion Using the Monoclonal Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|url=http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161226|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=11|issue=8|pages=e0161226|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0161226|issn=1932-6203|pmc=|pmid=|access-date=|quote=|via=}}</ref>
*2016, Serum BAFF and APRIL Levels, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, and Immunoglobulins after B-Cell Depletion Using the Monoclonal Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.<ref>{{Cite journal | last =Lunde | first = Sigrid | authorlink = | last2 = Kristoffersen | first2=Einar K.|author-link2 = | last3 = Sapkota | first3 = Dipak | authorlink3 = | last4 = Risa | first4 = Kristin | author-link4 = | last5 = Dahl | first5 = Olav | authorlink5 = |last6 = Bruland | first6 = Ove | authorlink6 = | last7 = Mella | first7 = Olav | authorlink7 = Olav Mella | last8 = Fluge | first8 = Øystein | authorlink8 = Øystein Fluge | date = 2016-08-18 | editor-last = Cordero|editor-first = Mario D. | title=Serum BAFF and APRIL Levels, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, and Immunoglobulins after B-Cell Depletion Using the Monoclonal Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|url=http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161226|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=11|issue=8| pages = e0161226|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0161226|issn=1932-6203|pmc=|pmid=|access-date=|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161226 (Full text)]
*2016, Antibodies to β adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The study abstract states: "The association of autoantibodies with immune markers suggests that they activate B and T cells expressing β adrenergic and M acetylcholine receptors. Dysregulation of acetylcholine and adrenergic signalling could also explain various clinical symptoms of CFS."<ref name="Loebel, 2016" />
*2016, Antibodies to β adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The study abstract states: "The association of autoantibodies with immune markers suggests that they activate B and T cells expressing β adrenergic and M acetylcholine receptors. Dysregulation of acetylcholine and adrenergic signalling could also explain various clinical symptoms of CFS."<ref name="Loebel, 2016" />
*2018, Immunosignature Analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Günther|first=Oliver P.|last2=Gardy|first2=Jennifer L.|last3=Stafford|first3=Phillip|author-link3=Phillip Stafford|last4=Fluge|first4=Øystein|author-link4=Øystein Fluge|last5=Mella|first5=Olav|author-link5=Olav Mella|last6=Tang|first6=Patrick|last7=Miller|first7=Ruth R.|last8=Parker|first8=Shoshana M.|last9=Johnston|first9=Stephen A.|date=2018-10-08|title=Immunosignature Analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12035-018-1354-8|journal=Molecular Neurobiology|language=en|volume=|pages=|doi=10.1007/s12035-018-1354-8|issn=0893-7648|via=}}</ref> - [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12035-018-1354-8 (Full text)]
*2018, Immunosignature Analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)<ref>{{Cite journal | last =Günther | first=Oliver P. | last2 = Gardy | first2 = Jennifer L. | last3 = Stafford | first3=Phillip | author-link3 = Phillip Stafford | last4 = Fluge | first4 = Øystein | author-link4 = Øystein Fluge | last5 = Mella | first5 = Olav | authorlink5 = Olav Mella|last6 = Tang | first6 = Patrick | last7 = Miller | first7 = Ruth R. | last8 = Parker | first8 = Shoshana M. | last9 = Johnston | first9 = Stephen A. | date = 2018-10-08 | title = Immunosignature Analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12035-018-1354-8|journal=Molecular Neurobiology|language=en|volume=|pages=|doi=10.1007/s12035-018-1354-8|issn=0893-7648|via=}}</ref> - [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12035-018-1354-8 (Full text)]
*2018, [[Rituximab]] Serum Concentrations and Anti-Rituximab Antibodies During B-Cell Depletion Therapy for Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Schjøtt|first=Jan|author-link=|last2=Vries|first2=Annick de|author-link2=|last3=Mella|first3=Olav|author-link3=Olav Mella|last4=Sørland|first4=Kari|author-link4=Kari|last5=Risa|first5=Kristin|author-link5=|last6=Alme|first6=Kine|last7=Fluge|first7=Øystein|author-link7=Øystein Fluge|last8=Rekeland|first8=Ingrid G.|date=2018-11-28|title=Rituximab Serum Concentrations and Anti-Rituximab Antibodies During B-Cell Depletion Therapy for Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|url=https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(18)30514-9/abstract|journal=Clinical Therapeutics|language=English|volume=0|issue=0|pages=|doi=10.1016/j.clinthera.2018.10.019|issn=1879-114X|pmid=30502905|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149291818305149 (Abstract)]
*2018, [[Rituximab]] Serum Concentrations and Anti-Rituximab Antibodies During B-Cell Depletion Therapy for Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<ref>{{Cite journal | last =Schjøtt | first=Jan|author-link = | last2 = Vries | first2=Annick de|author-link2 = | last3 = Mella | first3 = Olav | author-link3 = Olav Mella | last4 = Sørland | first4=Kari | author-link4 = Kari | last5 = Risa | first5 = Kristin | authorlink5 = |last6 = Alme | first6 = Kine | last7 = Fluge | first7 = Øystein | authorlink7 = Øystein Fluge | last8 = Rekeland | first8 = Ingrid G. | date = 2018-11-28 | title = Rituximab Serum Concentrations and Anti-Rituximab Antibodies During B-Cell Depletion Therapy for Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|url=https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(18)30514-9/abstract|journal=Clinical Therapeutics|language=English|volume=0|issue=0|pages=|doi=10.1016/j.clinthera.2018.10.019|issn=1879-114X|pmid=30502905|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149291818305149 (Abstract)]
*2019, [[B cell|B-Lymphocyte]] Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Fluge|first=Øystein|author-link=Øystein Fluge|last2=Rekeland|first2=Ingrid G.|last3=Lien|first3=Katarina|last4=Thürmer|first4=Hanne|last5=Borchgrevink|first5=Pette C.|last6=Schäfer|first6=Christoph|last7=Sørland|first7=Kari|last8=Aßmus|first8=Jörg|last9=Ktoridou-Valen|first9=Irini|last10=Mella|first10=Olav|author-link10=Olav Mella|date=2019-04-02|title=B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial|url=http://annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M18-1451|journal=Annals of Internal Medicine|language=en|doi=10.7326/M18-1451|issn=0003-4819}}</ref>
*2019, [[B cell|B-Lymphocyte]] Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Fluge | first = Øystein | author-link = Øystein Fluge | last2 = Rekeland | first2=Ingrid G. | last3 = Lien | first3=Katarina | last4 = Thürmer | first4=Hanne | last5 = Borchgrevink | first5 = Pette C. | last6 = Schäfer | first6 = Christoph | last7 = Sørland | first7 = Kari | last8 = Aßmus | first8 = Jörg | last9 = Ktoridou-Valen | first9 = Irini | last10 = Mella | first10 = Olav | authorlink10 = Olav Mella | date = 2019-04-02 | title = B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial|url=http://annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M18-1451|journal=Annals of Internal Medicine|language=en|doi=10.7326/M18-1451|issn=0003-4819}}</ref> - [https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(19)30163-8/fulltext (Full text)]
*2019, Searching for Serum Antibodies to Neuronal Proteins in Patients With Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Giannoccaro|first=Maria Pia|author-link=|last2=Cossins|first2=Judith|author-link2=|last3=Sørland|first3=Kari|author-link3=|last4=Fluge|first4=Øystein|author-link4=Øystein Fluge|last5=Vincent|first5=Angela|author-link5=Angela Vincent|date=May 2019|title=Searching for Serum Antibodies to Neuronal Proteins in Patients With Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0149291819301638|journal=Clinical Therapeutics|language=en|volume=41|issue=5|pages=836–847|doi=10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.04.001|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(19)30163-8/fulltext (Full text)]
*2019, Searching for Serum Antibodies to Neuronal Proteins in Patients With Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<ref>{{Cite journal | last =Giannoccaro | first = Maria Pia|author-link = | last2 = Cossins | first2=Judith |author-link2 = | last3 = Sørland | first3=Kari | author-link3 = | last4 = Fluge | first4 = Øystein | author-link4 = Øystein Fluge | last5 = Vincent | first5 = Angela | authorlink5 = Angela Vincent | date = May 2019 | title = Searching for Serum Antibodies to Neuronal Proteins in Patients With Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0149291819301638|journal=Clinical Therapeutics|language=en|volume=41|issue=5 | pages = 836–847|doi=10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.04.001|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(19)30163-8/fulltext (Full text)]
*2020, Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)<ref name="Asgeir2020">{{Cite journal | last =Lande | first = Asgeir | authorlink = Asgeir Lande | last2 = Fluge | first2 = Øystein | author-link2 = Øystein Fluge | last3 = Strand | first3=Elin B. | author-link3 = Elin Strand | last4 = Flåm | first4 = Siri T. | author-link4 = Siri Flåm | last5 = Sosa | first5 = Daysi D.  | authorlink5 = Daysi Sosa|last6 = Mella | first6 = Olav | authorlink6 = Olav Mella | last7 = Egeland | first7 = Torstein | authorlink7 = | last8 = Saugstad | first8 = Ola D.  | authorlink8 = | last9 = Lie | first9 = Benedicte A. | authorlink9 = | date = 2020-03-24 | title = Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-62157-x|journal=Scientific Reports|language=en|volume=10|issue=1|pages=1–8|doi=10.1038/s41598-020-62157-x|issn=2045-2322|pmc=|pmid=|access-date=|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-62157-x (Full text)]
* 2020, Intravenous Cyclophosphamide in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study<ref name="Rekeland2020">{{Cite journal | last =Rekeland | first=Ingrid G.|author-link = | last2 = Fosså | first2 = Alexander | author-link2 = | last3 = Lande | first3 = Asgeir | author-link3 = | last4 = Ktoridou-Valen | first4=Irini | author-link4 = | last5 = Sørland | first5 = Kari | authorlink5 = |last6 = Holsen | first6 = Mari | author-link6 = | last7 = Tronstad | first7 = Karl J. | authorlink7 = Karl Tronstad | last8 = Risa | first8 = Kristin | authorlink8 = | last9 = Alme | first9 = Kine | authorlink9 = | last10 = Viken | first10 = Marte K. | authorlink10 = | last11 = Lie | first11 = Benedicte K. | authorlink11 = | last12 = Dahl | first12 = Olav | authorlink12 = | last13 = Mella | first13 = Olav | authorlink13 = Olav Mella | first14 = Øystein | last14 = Fluge | author-link14 = Øystein Fluge | date = 2020 | title=Intravenous Cyclophosphamide in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study|url=https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2020.00162/full|journal=Frontiers in Medicine|language=English|volume=7|issue=|pages=162|pmc=PMC7201056|pmid=32411717|doi=10.3389/fmed.2020.00162|issn=2296-858X|quote=|via=}}</ref> - [https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2020.00162/full? (Full text)]


==See also==
==See also==
Line 45: Line 47:
==References==
==References==
<references>
<references>
<ref name="Fluge, 2011">{{Citation
<ref name="Fluge, 2011">{{Cite journal | last1 = Fluge | first1 = Øystein | authorlink1 = Øystein Flute | last2 = Bruland | first2 = Ove | authorlink2 = | last3 = Risa | first3 = Kristin | authorlink3 = | last4 = Storstein | first4 = Anette | authorlink4 = | last5 = Kristoffersen | first5 = Einar Klæboe | authorlink5 = | last6 = Sapkota | first6 = Dipak | authorlink6 = | last7 = Næss | first7 = Halvor | authorlink7 = | last8 = Dahl | first8 = Olav | authorlink8 = | last9 = Nyland | first9 = Harald Inge | authorlink9 = | last10 = Mella | first10 = Olav | authorlink10 = Olav Mella | title = Benefit from B-lymphocyte depletion using the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab in chronic fatigue syndrome. A double-blind and placebo-controlled study.| journal = PLoS One | volume = 6 | issue = 10 | pages = e26358 | date = 2011 | pmid = | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0026358 }}</ref>
| last1   = Fluge               | first1 = Øystein               | authorlink1 = Øystein Fluge
<ref name="Fluge, 2016">{{Cite journal | last1 = Fluge | first1 = Øystein | authorlink1 = Øystein Fluge | last2 = Mella | first2 = Olav | authorlink2 = Olav Mella | last3 = Bruland | first3 = Ove | authorlink3 = | last4 = Risa | first4 = Kristin | authorlink4 = | last5 = Dyrstad | first5 = Sissel E. | authorlink5 = | last6 = Alme | first6 = Kine | authorlink6 = | last7 = Rekeland | first7 = Ingrid G. | authorlink7 = | last8 = Sapkota | first8 = Dipak | authorlink8 = | last9 = Røsland | first9 = Gro V. | authorlink9 = | last10 = Fosså | first10 = Alexander | authorlink10 =| last11 = Ktoridou-Valen | first11 = Irini | authorlink11 =| last12 = Lunde | first12 = Sigrid | authorlink12 =| last13 = Sørland | first13 = Kari | authorlink13 = | last14 =Lien | first14 = Katarina | authorlink14 = | last15 = Herder | first15 = Ingrid | authorlink15 = | last16 = Thürmer | first16 = Hanne | authorlink16 =| last17 = Gotaas | first17 = Merete E. | authorlink17 =| last18 = Baranowska | first18 = Katarzyna A. | authorlink18 =| last19 = Bohnen | first19 = Louis M.L.J. | authorlink19 = | last20 = Schäfer | first20 = Christoph | authorlink20 = | last21 = McCann | first21 = Adrian | authorlink21 =| last22 = Sommerfelt | first22 = Kristian | authorlink22 =| last23 = Helgeland | first23 = Lars | authorlink23 = | last24 = Ueland | first24 = Per M. | authorlink24 = | last25 = Dahl | first25 = Olav | authorlink25 = | last26 = Tronstad | first26 = Karl J. | authorlink26 = Karl Tronstad| title = Metabolic profiling indicates impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase function in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome| journal = JCI Insight | volume = 1 | issue = 21 | pages = | date = 2016 | pmid = | doi = 10.1172/jci.insight.89376}}</ref>
| last2   = Bruland             | first2 = Ove                   | authorlink2 =  
<ref name="Loebel, 2016">{{Cite journal | last1 = Loebel | first1 = M | authorlink1 = | last2 = Grabowski | first2 = P | authorlink2 = | last3 = Heidecke | first3 = H | authorlink3 = | last4 = Bauer | first4 = S | authorlink4 = | last5 = Hanitsch | first5 = LG | authorlink5 = | last6 = Wittke | first6 = K | authorlink6 = | last7 = Meisel | first7 = C | authorlink7 = | last8 = Reinke | first8 = P | authorlink8 = | last9 = Volk | first9 = H | authorlink9 = | last10 = Fluge | first10 = Ø | authorlink10 = Øystein Fluge | last11 = Mella | first11 = O | authorlink11 = Olav Mella | last12 = Scheibenbogen | first12 = C | authorlink12 = Carmen Scheibenbogen| title = Antibodies to β adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome| journal = Brain, behavior, and immunity | volume = 52 | issue = | pages = 32-39| date = 2016 | doi = 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.09.013 }}</ref>
| last3   = Risa                 | first3 = Kristin               | authorlink3 =  
| last4   = Storstein           | first4 = Anette               | authorlink4 =  
| last5   = Kristoffersen       | first5 = Einar Klæboe         | authorlink5 =  
| last6   = Sapkota             | first6 = Dipak                 | authorlink6 =  
| last7   = Næss                 | first7 = Halvor               | authorlink7 =  
| last8   = Dahl                 | first8 = Olav                 | authorlink8 =  
| last9   = Nyland               | first9 = Harald Inge           | authorlink9 =  
| last10 = Mella               | first10 = Olav                 | authorlink10 = Olav Mella  
| title   = Benefit from B-lymphocyte depletion using the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab in chronic fatigue syndrome. A double-blind and placebo-controlled study.
| journal = PLoS One     | volume = 6   | issue = 10   | page = e26358  
| date   = 2011
| pmid   =  
| doi     = 10.1371/journal.pone.0026358
}}
</ref>
<ref name="Fluge, 2016">{{Citation
| last1   = Fluge                 | first1 = Øystein               | authorlink1 = Øystein Fluge
| last2   = Mella                 | first2 = Olav                 | authorlink2 = Olav Mella
| last3   = Bruland               | first3 = Ove                   | authorlink3 =  
| last4   = Risa                   | first4 = Kristin               | authorlink4 =  
| last5   = Dyrstad               | first5 = Sissel E.             | authorlink5 =  
| last6   = Alme                   | first6 = Kine                 | authorlink6 =  
| last7   = Rekeland               | first7 = Ingrid G.             | authorlink7 =  
| last8   = Sapkota               | first8 = Dipak                 | authorlink8 =  
| last9   = Røsland               | first9 = Gro V.               | authorlink9 =  
| last10   = Fosså                 | first10 = Alexander           | authorlink10 =
| last11   = Ktoridou-Valen       | first11 = Irini               | authorlink11 =
| last12   = Lunde                 | first12 = Sigrid               | authorlink12 =
| last13   = Sørland               | first13 = Kari                 | authorlink13 =
| last14   = Lien                 | first14 = Katarina             | authorlink14 =
| last15   = Herder               | first15 = Ingrid               | authorlink15 =
| last16   = Thürmer               | first16 = Hanne               | authorlink16 =
| last17   = Gotaas               | first17 = Merete E.           | authorlink17 =
| last18   = Baranowska           | first18 = Katarzyna A.         | authorlink18 =
| last19   = Bohnen               | first19 = Louis M.L.J.         | authorlink19 =
| last20   = Schäfer               | first20 = Christoph           | authorlink20 =
| last21   = McCann               | first21 = Adrian               | authorlink21 =
| last22   = Sommerfelt           | first22 = Kristian             | authorlink22 =
| last23   = Helgeland             | first23 = Lars                 | authorlink23 =
| last24   = Ueland               | first24 = Per M.               | authorlink24 =
| last25   = Dahl                 | first25 = Olav                 | authorlink25 =
| last26   = Tronstad             | first26 = Karl J.             | authorlink26 = Karl Tronstad
| title   = Metabolic profiling indicates impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase function in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome
| journal = JCI Insight   | volume = 1   | issue = 21 | page =  
| date   = 2016
| pmid   =  
| doi     = 10.1172/jci.insight.89376
}}
</ref>
<ref name="Loebel, 2016">{{Citation
| last1   = Loebel           | first1 = M                   | authorlink1 =  
| last2   = Grabowski         | first2 = P                   | authorlink2 =  
| last3   = Heidecke         | first3 = H                   | authorlink3 =  
| last4   = Bauer             | first4 = S                   | authorlink4 =  
| last5   = Hanitsch         | first5 = LG                 | authorlink5 =  
| last6   = Wittke           | first6 = K                   | authorlink6 =  
| last7   = Meisel           | first7 = C                   | authorlink7 =  
| last8   = Reinke           | first8 = P                   | authorlink8 =  
| last9   = Volk             | first9 = H                 | authorlink9 =  
| last10 = Fluge             | first10 = Ø                 | authorlink10 = Øystein Fluge
| last11 = Mella             | first11 = O                 | authorlink11 = Olav Mella
| last12 = Scheibenbogen     | first12 = C                 | authorlink12 = Carmen Scheibenbogen
| title   = Antibodies to β adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
| journal = Brain, behavior, and immunity   | volume = 52   | issue =   | page = 32-39
| date   = 2016  
| doi     = 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.09.013
}}
</ref>
</references>
</references>



Latest revision as of 22:42, May 18, 2023

Source:InvestinME

Øystein Fluge, MD, is the Senior Consultant supervising the ME/CFS research group at the Department of Oncology and Medical Physics at the University of Bergen, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.[1] He worked with Professor Olav Mella in the Norwegian Rituximab and cyclophosphamide trials employing the depletion of B cell lymphocytes in ME/CFS patients.[2]

Dr. Fluge is a member of the Working Group which offers their expertise and resources to the ME/CFS Collaborative Research Center at Stanford University.[3]

Rituximab work in ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

Øystein Fluge's and Olav Mella's discovery was found by accident, in that three ME/CFS patients who had B-cell lymphoma improved remarkably following treatment with Rituximab. Not only had their lymphomas improved, but all symptoms of their ME/CFS diminished with the treatment. The positive responses were delayed for up to 6-12 weeks, despite their B cells being eliminated by the drug in 2 weeks. Since that accidental discovery, a larger study has been undertaken. Initial reports were promising in that there is a positive response in 67% of the patients receiving Rituximab vs a 13% improvement in the placebo group. After the effects wore off, there was a decline in the numbers who responded to the second and subsequent infusions.[4] The clinical trial, named RituxME, was a multicenter, phase III study. It was randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled, with 152 participants, of which half will receive treatments with rituximab and the other half will be treated with placebo (saline).[5]

On Nov 21, 2017, Drs. Øystein Fluge and Olav Mella announced that their Rituximab trial had failed. They stated that they would focus their efforts on attempting to identify a subgroup of ME/CFS patients with an immune profile that would be responsive to Rituximab. The Drs. will publish a paper next year with the specifics of the failed trial.[6]

The discovery of ME/CFS patients responding positively to an autoimmunity drug has radically changed how many have viewed ME/CFS, to the point that Bjørn Guldvog, the Deputy Director General of Norwegian Directorate of Health, has apologized for the way in which ME patients in Norway have been treated: "I think that we have not cared for people with ME to a great enough extent. I think it is correct to say that we have not established proper health care services for these people, and I regret that." The European ME Alliance believes that such a public apology from a governmental health agency has never occurred before.[7]

In 2015, a second clinical trial for ME/CFS by the same group headed by Fluge and Mella, was started using the chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide. Called CycloME part A​, this study will involve 40 patients with moderate and severe ME/CFS and will be ongoing until January 2017.[8] If the results indicate a clinically relevant response, i.e., an improvement in symptoms, in a minimum of 40% of the patients, the trial will move into CycloME part B and may be extended to include patients with very severe ME.[9]

Talks and interviews[edit | edit source]

Notable ME/CFS Studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2011, Benefit from B-lymphocyte depletion using the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab in chronic fatigue syndrome. A double-blind and placebo-controlled study[10] - (Full text)
  • 2015, B-lymphocyte depletion in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome. An open-label phase II study with rituximab maintenance treatment[11] - (Full text)
  • 2016, Metabolic profiling indicates impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase function in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome[12] - (Full text)
  • 2016, Serum BAFF and APRIL Levels, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, and Immunoglobulins after B-Cell Depletion Using the Monoclonal Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.[13] - (Full text)
  • 2016, Antibodies to β adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The study abstract states: "The association of autoantibodies with immune markers suggests that they activate B and T cells expressing β adrenergic and M acetylcholine receptors. Dysregulation of acetylcholine and adrenergic signalling could also explain various clinical symptoms of CFS."[14]
  • 2018, Immunosignature Analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)[15] - (Full text)
  • 2018, Rituximab Serum Concentrations and Anti-Rituximab Antibodies During B-Cell Depletion Therapy for Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome[16] - (Abstract)
  • 2019, B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial[17] - (Full text)
  • 2019, Searching for Serum Antibodies to Neuronal Proteins in Patients With Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome[18] - (Full text)
  • 2020, Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)[19] - (Full text)
  • 2020, Intravenous Cyclophosphamide in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study[20] - (Full text)

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Øystein Fluge, MD, PhD & Olav Mella, MD, PhD". Open Medicine Foundation. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  2. "ME/CFS research". Helse Bergen (in norsk). Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  3. "OMF grants $1.2M to Ramp Up Collaborative Research Center at Stanford University". bos.etapestry.com. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  4. "Invest in ME Research - International ME Conferences and Colloquiums Home Page". investinme.org. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  5. "RituxME". Helse Bergen. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  6. "Norwegian Rituximab Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Trial Fails". Simmaron Research. November 26, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  7. "European ME Alliance - Norway's Directorate of Health Apologises to ME Patients for Poor Treatment". euro-me.org. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  8. "CycloME part A". Helse Bergen (in norsk). Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  9. "CycloME part B". Helse Bergen (in norsk). Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  10. Fluge, Øystein; Bruland, Ove; Risa, Kristin; Storstein, Anette; Kristoffersen, Einar Klæboe; Sapkota, Dipak; Næss, Halvor; Dahl, Olav; Nyland, Harald Inge; Mella, Olav (2011). "Benefit from B-lymphocyte depletion using the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab in chronic fatigue syndrome. A double-blind and placebo-controlled study". PLoS One. 6 (10): e26358. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026358.
  11. Fluge, Øystein; Risa, Kristin; Lunde, Sigrid; Alme, Kine; Rekeland, Ingrid Gurvin; Sapkota, Dipak; Kristoffersen, Einar Kleboe; Sørland, Kari; Bruland, Ove (July 1, 2015). van der Feltz-Cornelis, Christina (ed.). "B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Myalgic Encephalopathy/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study with Rituximab Maintenance Treatment". PLOS ONE. 10 (7): e0129898. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0129898. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 4488509. PMID 26132314.
  12. Fluge, Øystein; Mella, Olav; Bruland, Ove; Risa, Kristin; Dyrstad, Sissel E.; Alme, Kine; Rekeland, Ingrid G.; Sapkota, Dipak; Røsland, Gro V.; Fosså, Alexander; Ktoridou-Valen, Irini; Lunde, Sigrid; Sørland, Kari; Lien, Katarina; Herder, Ingrid; Thürmer, Hanne; Gotaas, Merete E.; Baranowska, Katarzyna A.; Bohnen, Louis M.L.J.; Schäfer, Christoph; McCann, Adrian; Sommerfelt, Kristian; Helgeland, Lars; Ueland, Per M.; Dahl, Olav; Tronstad, Karl J. (2016). "Metabolic profiling indicates impaired pyruvate dehydrogenase function in myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome". JCI Insight. 1 (21). doi:10.1172/jci.insight.89376.
  13. Lunde, Sigrid; Kristoffersen, Einar K.; Sapkota, Dipak; Risa, Kristin; Dahl, Olav; Bruland, Ove; Mella, Olav; Fluge, Øystein (August 18, 2016). Cordero, Mario D. (ed.). "Serum BAFF and APRIL Levels, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, and Immunoglobulins after B-Cell Depletion Using the Monoclonal Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". PLOS ONE. 11 (8): e0161226. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0161226. ISSN 1932-6203.
  14. Loebel, M; Grabowski, P; Heidecke, H; Bauer, S; Hanitsch, LG; Wittke, K; Meisel, C; Reinke, P; Volk, H; Fluge, Ø; Mella, O; Scheibenbogen, C (2016). "Antibodies to β adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Brain, behavior, and immunity. 52: 32–39. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2015.09.013.
  15. Günther, Oliver P.; Gardy, Jennifer L.; Stafford, Phillip; Fluge, Øystein; Mella, Olav; Tang, Patrick; Miller, Ruth R.; Parker, Shoshana M.; Johnston, Stephen A. (October 8, 2018). "Immunosignature Analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)". Molecular Neurobiology. doi:10.1007/s12035-018-1354-8. ISSN 0893-7648.
  16. Schjøtt, Jan; Vries, Annick de; Mella, Olav; Sørland, Kari; Risa, Kristin; Alme, Kine; Fluge, Øystein; Rekeland, Ingrid G. (November 28, 2018). "Rituximab Serum Concentrations and Anti-Rituximab Antibodies During B-Cell Depletion Therapy for Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Clinical Therapeutics. 0 (0). doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2018.10.019. ISSN 1879-114X. PMID 30502905.
  17. Fluge, Øystein; Rekeland, Ingrid G.; Lien, Katarina; Thürmer, Hanne; Borchgrevink, Pette C.; Schäfer, Christoph; Sørland, Kari; Aßmus, Jörg; Ktoridou-Valen, Irini; Mella, Olav (April 2, 2019). "B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial". Annals of Internal Medicine. doi:10.7326/M18-1451. ISSN 0003-4819.
  18. Giannoccaro, Maria Pia; Cossins, Judith; Sørland, Kari; Fluge, Øystein; Vincent, Angela (May 2019). "Searching for Serum Antibodies to Neuronal Proteins in Patients With Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Clinical Therapeutics. 41 (5): 836–847. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.04.001.
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