title: A longitudinal analysis of SLE patients treated with rituximab (anti-CD20): factors associated with B lymphocyte recovery.
abstract: Identifying factors associated with B lymphocyte depletion and recovery may aid the development of individualized treatment regimens, optimizing therapy for patients with autoimmune disease. In this study, 12 patients with active SLE were monitored at baseline and monthly following treatment with rituximab. The number and phenotype of peripheral blood B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and natural killer cells were correlated with the extent and longevity of B lymphocyte depletion. This analysis generated three candidate biomarkers for lymphocyte monitoring in patients with autoimmune disease who are treated with rituximab: circulating transitional B cells, the kappa:lambda ratio and natural killer cells. Further refinement of these potential biomarkers may lead to a better understanding of the role of B cells in disease pathogenesis and a more rational use of B cell depletion therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 405B Stellar Chance Labs, 422 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sutter
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwan-Morley
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunham
authors.forename: Yang-Zhu
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Malek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamoun
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.forename: Eline T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Luning Prak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054448:Precursor Cells, B-Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology; D000069283:Rituximab; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab