Rituximab therapy for IgA-vasculitis with nephritis: a case series and review of the literature.

Abstract

Henoch-Schonlein purpura, also called IgA-vasculitis, is a systemic small vessels vasculitis with immunoglobulin A1-dominant immune deposits. The optimal treatment remains controversial. Because IgA-vasculitis is characterized by leukocyte infiltration of the blood vessel walls along with immunoglobulin A deposition, and because glucocorticosteroids inhibit inflammatory processes, early administration of glucocorticosteroids has been postulated to be effective, but this indication remains controversial. Immunosuppressive agents (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, mycophenolate) have been used in combination with glucocorticosteroids without definitive evidence of effectiveness. The efficacy of rituximab in adult IgA-vasculitis has been reported in few cases. We described a monocentric experience on the use of rituximab in adult IgA-vasculitis with biopsy-proven nephritis. The patients achieved a complete remission of nephritis and syndromic manifestations, and no patients experienced adverse reactions. These data have been compared with the limited literature nowadays available.

• Authors: Roberta Fenoglio, Carla Naretto, Bruno Basolo, Giacomo Quattrocchio, Michela Ferro, Paola Mesiano, Giulietta Beltrame, Dario Roccatello
• Journal: Immunologic research (Immunol Res) Vol. 65 Issue 1 Pg. 186-192 (02 2017) ISSN: 1559-0755 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27449502 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Rituximab

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• IgA Vasculitis (drug therapy)
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nephritis (drug therapy)
• Rituximab (therapeutic use)
• Young Adult