Rituximab would be effective in systemic rheumatoid vasculitis

"He achieved complete remission of the VRS (systemic rheumatoid vasculitis) in almost three quarters of patients treated with rituximab in daily practice, with a significant reduction in the dose of prednisone and acceptable toxicity profile," said Dr. Xavier team Puechal General Hospital Le Mans.

The experts noted that systemic vasculitis affecting a small subset of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

National Register Autoimmunity and Rituximab, the researchers identified 1994 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab, including 17 patients with confirmed active VRS.

After six months of therapy with rituximab, 12 patients had complete remission of the vasculitis, four had a partial response to treatment and one had died, the researchers found.

At the beginning, the middle register in the group of VRS on a scale of standard vasculitis activity was 9.6 and average prednisone dose was 19.2 mg per day (mg / day).

These values ​​decreased to 0.6 and 9.7 mg / day, respectively, after six months of rituximab, the report said.

There were three cases of severe infection, one patient died of sepsis, one developed subcutaneous abscesses with cellulitis and the third had a recurrence of postoperative infection in a prosthesis placed on one elbow.

None of the six patients who received subsequent treatment with rituximab preemptively experienced a relapse.

However, three patients receiving methotrexate alone or no maintenance therapy had a relapse of vasculitis.

According to the results, the team concluded: "Rituximab represents a valid therapeutic option to induce remission in VRS, although it seems necessary maintenance therapy."

The authors also reported that at the last follow up 16 patients were still alive and 15 had a sustained complete remission.