Rituximab therapy in patients with resistant rheumatoid arthritis: real-life experience.
OBJECTIVE
Rituximab has recently been shown to be effective in suppressing disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who fail anti-TNF therapy. We present our experience of treating patients with long-standing, multi-DMARD and anti-TNF resistant RA with rituximab in 'real-life' setting.


METHODS
Patients with RA resistant to more than two anti-TNF drugs and with persistent disease activity (DAS28 > 5.1) were considered for treatment with rituximab (two infusions 1000 mg each, a fortnight apart). DAS28 and HAQ scores were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Response to rituximab was defined as per the EULAR response criteria. Re-treatment with a second cycle of rituximab was offered if they had responded to the earlier one but flared.


RESULTS
Twenty patients received rituximab. Median disease duration was 16 yrs (range 5-39) and 90% were rheumatoid factor positive. Median number of biologics received pre-treatment was two (range 2-4). Rituximab treatment led to a significant reduction in DAS28 score (P < 0.0001) at 3 months and various other disease parameters. The benefit was sustained at 6 months. Moderate-to-good EULAR response was seen in 85% of patients at 3 months and 60% at 6 months. No significant side effects were observed. 50% of the patients flared and received re-treatment. Interval to re-treatment varied from 6 to 18 months. The majority of the RA patients responded to re-treatment with rituximab and no major side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Rituximab was effective in controlling disease activity in anti-TNF therapy resistant RA patients in 'real-life' setting. Rituximab was safe with no major side effects. Re-treatment with rituximab was safe and efficacy was maintained.
Jois
R N
RN
Department of Rheumatology, East block, Level-2, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney lane, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK. rammi09@yahoo.com
Masding
A
A
Somerville
M
M
Gaffney
K
K
Scott
D G I
DG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069283:Rituximab; D008775:Methylprednisolone