title: Rituximab in the treatment of refractory dermatomyositis.
abstract: Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory myopathy characterized by muscle weakness and inflammation. In contrast to polymyositis and inclusion body myositis, humoral immune mechanisms appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis. A 56-year-old man with dermatomyositis resistant to conventional therapies was treated with 6 weekly infusions of the anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, at a dosage of 100 mg/m in addition to other agents. The patient demonstrated a remarkable clinical response as indicated by an increase in muscle strength and a decline in creatine kinase enzymes. B-cell depletion therapy with rituximab used alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies may be a viable option in patients with dermatomyositis as well as other autoimmune diseases refractory to current therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA. nhazlett@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chiappetta
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steier
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gruber
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000032:analysis; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab; D003402:Creatine Kinase