B-Cell depletion therapy for 19 patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus

Anna Podolskaya ^1*, Marike Stadermann ¹, Clarissa Pilkington ¹, Stephen D Marks ¹ and Kjell Tullus ¹

¹ Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, United Kingdom

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: a.podolskaya{at}gmx.de.

Accepted 11 November 2007

Abstract

Objective: B-cell dysregulation is involved in the development of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present the safety and efficacy of B-cell depletion therapy in children with refractory SLE in the largest series in the literature.

Methods: 19 children (89% female) with SLE, aged 6-16 (median 14) years, treated with rituximab in a single centre were retrospectively reviewed. British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index and biochemical, haematological and immunological parameters were evaluated before and after treatment, with the primary outcome assessed as normal results. Rituximab therapy was used for acute life or organ threatening symptoms, or symptoms that had not responded to standard treatment. The range of symptoms included lupus nephritis, cerebral lupus and severe general symptoms. Rituximab 750 mg/m2 was given intravenously twice, usually within a 2-week period. Patients were followed up for 6-38 (median 20) months.

Results: Rapid reduction of SLE disease activity was observed within the first month, represented by reduction of BILAG scores (14 to 6, P<0.005), improvement of renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate of 54 to 68 ml/min/1.73m^2, P=0.07), immunological (complement C3: 0.46 to 0.83 G/L, P=0.02) and haematological (haemoglobin: 9.7 to 10.3 g/dl, P=0.04) parameters. No serious side effects were observed, except for herpes zoster in five cases.

Conclusion: In our cohort of children, rituximab was safe and effective when used in combination with standard immunosuppressive agents. Randomised controlled studies are needed to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of rituximab therapy.

Keywords: children, lupus, nephritis, refractory, rituximab

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Howard Bauchner
Arch. Dis. Child. 2008 93: i. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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