B lymphocyte depletion with the monoclonal antibody rituximab in Graves' disease: a controlled pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Graves' disease (GD) is a common TSH receptor autoantibody (TRAb)-mediated disorder. Because B lymphocytes are important self-antigen presenting cells and precursors for antibody-secreting plasma cells, temporary B-lymphocyte depletion with the monoclonal antibody rituximab (RTX) might be of benefit in GD.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this prospective, controlled, nonrandomized study was to investigate the effect of RTX in GD.


METHODS
We studied 20 outpatients referred to a university clinic with newly diagnosed (four with relapse) untreated GD. Ten received RTX (+RTX), whereas 10 did not (-RTX).


METHODS
The patients received methimazole (MMI) for a median of 102 d (+RTX) and 110 d (-RTX) before the study. Patients in the +RTX group received 375 mg RTX/m(2) iv on d 1, 8, 15, and 22, and all patients were withdrawn from methimazole (MMI) at d 22.


METHODS
We measured time to relapse of hyperthyroidism and changes in autoantibody levels.


RESULTS
Four patients in the +RTX group remained in remission with a median follow-up of 705 d (range, 435-904 d), whereas all the patients in the -RTX group had relapsed by d 393 (P < 0.05). All of the patients in remission had initial TRAb levels below 5 IU/liter (normal, <0.7 IU/liter). However, none of the five patients in the -RTX group with correspondingly low TRAb levels were in remission (P < 0.01). RTX treatment did not affect autoantibody levels to a greater extent than did MMI monotherapy. Two patients received glucocorticoids for joint pain after RTX therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
RTX treatment may induce sustained remission in patients with GD with low TRAb levels. However, RTX did not affect autoantibody levels and seems ineffective in patients with high TRAb levels. At present, high cost, low efficacy, and potential side effects do not support use in uncomplicated GD.
El Fassi
Daniel
D
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark.
Nielsen
Claus H
CH
Bonnema
Steen J
SJ
Hasselbalch
Hans C
HC
Hegedüs
Laszlo
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D008713:Methimazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D000069283:Rituximab; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D000069283:Rituximab; D008713:Methimazole; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase