Rituximab Treatment for the Patient with Refractory Lupus Nephritis.
- Author:
Ji Youn YOUM
1
;
Yoon Kyoung SUNG
;
Wan Sik UHM
;
Jae Bum JUN
;
Dae Hyun YOO
;
Sang Cheol BAE
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. scbae@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Rituximab;
SLE;
Lupus nephritis
- MeSH:
Cyclophosphamide;
DNA;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic;
Lupus Nephritis*;
Lymphocyte Depletion;
Rituximab
- From:The Journal of the Korean Rheumatism Association
2005;12(4):251-262
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine preliminary evidence for the safety and efficacy of B lymphocyte depletion therapy in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Four female lupus nephritis patients who had been refractory to steroid and one or more immunosuppressive therapy were treated on an open-label basis. During a 4-week period, each patient received two 500-mg infusions of rituximab and two 750-mg infusions of cyclophosphamide. RESULTS: Patient 1, 2, and 3 were responded with rituximab treatment with improvements in SLEDAI and laboratory parameters such as C3/C4 and 24 hour urine protein. However, patient 4 had not improved with rituximab. The variation in the level of anti-double-stranded DNA antibody was different in individual patients. No significant adverse events were observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study provides an evidence for the safety and possible efficacy of B lymphocyte depletion therapy in refractory lupus nephritis. However a further randomized trial is needed to confirm the efficacy and durability of remission.
