Should rituximab be considered as the first-choice treatment for severe autoimmune rheumatic diseases?

Claudio Galarza, Diana Valencia, Gabriel J. Tobón, Luis Zurita, Rubén D. Mantilla, Ricardo Pineda-Tamayo, Adriana Rojas-Villarraga, Juan C. Rueda, Juan Manuel Anaya

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch Articlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the tolerance and efficacy of rituximab (RTX), a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 receptor present in B lymphocytes, in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD). For this purpose, patients treated with RTX and their respective clinical charts were comprehensively examined. Indications for treatment were a refractory character of the disease, inefficacy or intolerance of other immunosuppressors. Activity indexes (SLEDAI, DAS28, and specific clinical manifestations) were used to evaluate efficacy. Serious side effects were also recorded. Seventy-four patients were included. Forty-three patients had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 21 had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 8 had Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and 2 had Takayasu's arteritis (TA). RTX was well-tolerated in 66 (89%) patients. In 8 patients (SLE=3, SS=3, RA=2), serious side effects lead to discontinuation. The mean follow-up period was 12±7.8 (2-35) months. The efficacy of RTX was registered in 58/66 (87%) patients, of whom 36 (83%) had SLE, 18/21 (85%) had RA, 3/8 (37%) had SS, and 1 had TA. The mean time of efficacy was 6.3±5.1 weeks. A significant steroid-sparing effect was noticed in half of the patients. These results add further evidence for the use of RTX in AIRD. Based on its risk-benefit ratio, RTX might be used as the first-choice treatment for patients with severe AIRD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)124-128
Number of pages5
JournalClinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Should rituximab be considered as the first-choice treatment for severe autoimmune rheumatic diseases?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this