title: Rituximab for the treatment of the skin manifestations of dermatomyositis: a report of 3 cases.
abstract: Three patients suffering from classic dermatomyositis (juvenile and adult-onset) with prominent recalcitrant skin manifestations are described. All patients demonstrated good control of muscle symptoms on immunosuppressive medications, but their cutaneous disease persisted despite treatment with at least 4 different systemic treatments and topical agents. They were given rituximab, a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, achieving a response with minimal side effects. We document our experience with this medication for the cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Hope V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Dinh
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: H Miles
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Prince
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis; D018942:Macrolides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018942:Macrolides; D013256:Steroids; D000069283:Rituximab; D008727:Methotrexate