Abstract | OBJECTIVE: STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the records of 10 patients treated with rituximab for severe, refractory autoimmune diseases at a single tertiary care children's hospital. Adverse events as well as treatment effects were recorded. RESULTS: All patients received 4 weekly doses of rituximab at 375 mg/m2 per dose. One patient died as the result of complications of her underlying systemic lupus erythematosus 7 weeks after rituximab therapy. Three patients had serious infections, all of which resolved with standard therapy. Rituximab led to transient or sustained improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters in nine subjects. At a median follow-up of 9 months, the median prednisone dose was reduced in the responders by 0.75 mg/kg per day (mean decrease of 63%), and four patients were able to discontinue corticosteroids entirely. With longer follow-up (median, 22 months), we found that 5 of 9 patients remained clinically stable after rituximab therapy, whereas 4 patients had recurrent or new features of their underlying autoimmune disorders requiring additional corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Moussa El-Hallak, Bryce A Binstadt, Alan M Leichtner, Carolyn M Bennett, Ellis J Neufeld, Robert C Fuhlbrigge, David Zurakowski, Robert P Sundel |
Journal | The Journal of pediatrics
(J Pediatr)
Vol. 150
Issue 4
Pg. 376-82
(Apr 2007)
ISSN: 1097-6833 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 17382113
(Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Immunoglobulins
- Immunologic Factors
- Rituximab
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(therapeutic use)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Autoimmune Diseases
(blood, complications, drug therapy, immunology)
- B-Lymphocytes
(drug effects, metabolism)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Immunoglobulins
(blood)
- Immunologic Factors
(therapeutic use)
- Infections
(etiology)
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Rituximab
- Treatment Outcome
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