Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy in seven patients with refractory connective tissue disease
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-7480.2009.04.011
- VernacularTitle:利妥昔单抗治疗难治性结缔组织病七例
- Author:
Wenjie ZHENG
;
Xuan ZHANG
;
Qian WANG
;
Dong XU
;
Xiaofeng ZENG
;
Fengchun ZHANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Connective tissue diseases;
Rituximab;
Treatment outcome
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology
2009;13(4):251-254
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of anti -CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) in treating refractory connective tissue disease (CTD) patients. Methods Seven inpatients with refractory CTD from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) including four cases of SLE, one for primary SS,one for undifferentiated CTD and one for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), who had been admitted in recent 3 years (Jan 2005～Feb 2008) were treated with rituximab in combination with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agents. Responses to treatment as well as outcomes were investigated. Results Six patients were female and one was male with the age ranged from 21 to 58 yr. Disease duration ranged from 3 months to 20 years. Rituximab resulted in significant improvement in clinical manifestations such as lupus nephritis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Four patients developed secondary infection including lung infections,herpes and septicemia during B cell depletion, and three patients died of severe lung infections and respiratory failure. Conclusion Our study has shown promising efficacy of rituximab therapy in refractory CTD patients, though it increases the risk of fatal infections, especially when in combination with immunosuppressive agents.
