Clinical efficacy of low-dose rituximab on hematological abnormalities in patients with connective tissue disease
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab in the treatment of hematologic abnormalities in patients with connective tissue disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 13 patients with connective tissue disease who did not respond to prednisolone and multiple immunosuppressive agents, or their disease recurred after treatment, were given 100 mg of rituximab only combined with prednisolone once a week for 4 weeks. Then, the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions were respectively observed in the 13 patients.

RESULTS:

Rituximab showed good and rapid efficacy in the treatment of refractory thrombocytopenia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease. Only 1 patient had urinary tract infection. During 24-month follow-up, disease recurred in 7 patients who still responded to azathioprine/Tripterygium wilfordii.

CONCLUSION:

Low-dose rituximab has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of hematologic abnormalities in patients with connective tissue disease.

• Authors: Chun-Yan Wang, Shao-Hua Guo, Li-Ping Wang, Xiao-Yuan Wang, Hai-Li Shen
• Journal: International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 57 Issue 10 Pg. 500-505 (Oct 2019) ISSN: 0946-1965 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 31426902 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Rituximab

Topics

• Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune (drug therapy, etiology)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Connective Tissue Diseases (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (complications)
• Rituximab (therapeutic use)
• Sjogren's Syndrome (complications)
• Thrombocytopenia (drug therapy, etiology)
• Treatment Outcome