Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBSERVATIONS: An open-label trial of rituximab therapy was conducted in 8 adult patients with dermatomyositis. Patients received 2 infusions of rituximab (1 g each) 2 weeks apart without peri-infusional steroids. The primary outcome was partial remission at week 24 (prespecified reduction in elevated creatine phosphokinase levels, muscle strength deficit (Manual Muscle Test), or skin disease ( Dermatomyositis Skin Severity Index). After the first infusion of rituximab, all patients achieved sustained depletion of peripheral B cells. One patient withdrew at week 16 owing to a lack of treatment efficacy. Three patients (38%) achieved partial remission at week 24, in each case by improvement in muscle strength. Muscle enzyme levels and skin scores at week 24 were not significantly changed from those at baseline. Rituximab infusions were well tolerated, with no serious infectious complications. One patient died of metastatic cancer 9 months after his last infusion. CONCLUSION: Depletion of peripheral B cells had modest effects on muscle disease and limited effects on skin disease in our cohort of patients with dermatomyositis.
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Authors | Lorinda Chung, Mark C Genovese, David F Fiorentino |
Journal | Archives of dermatology
(Arch Dermatol)
Vol. 143
Issue 6
Pg. 763-7
(Jun 2007)
ISSN: 0003-987X [Print] United States |
PMID | 17576943
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Rituximab
- Creatine Kinase
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Antineoplastic Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Cohort Studies
- Creatine Kinase
(blood)
- Dermatomyositis
(blood, drug therapy, pathology)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Muscle Strength
- Pilot Projects
- Rituximab
- Severity of Illness Index
- Treatment Outcome
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