title: Rituximab in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: an open-label clinical and histopathological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The safety and potential efficacy of rituximab was examined in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dc-SSc).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 24 week open-label study in which eight patients with dc-SSc received an infusion of 1000 mg rituximab administered at baseline and day 15, together with 100 mg methylprednisolone at each infusion. Assessment included CD19+ peripheral blood lymphocyte number, skin sclerosis score, indices of internal organ functioning, the health assessment questionnaire disability index, the 36-item Short Form health survey and histopathological evaluation of the skin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ritixumab induced effective B-cell depletion in all patients (<5 CD19+ cells/microl blood). There was a significant change in skin score at week 24 (p<0.001). Also, significant improvements were measured in the dermal hyalinised collagen content (p = 0.014) and dermal myofibroblast numbers (p = 0.011). Two serious adverse events occurred, which were thought to be unrelated to the rituximab treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rituximab appears to be well tolerated and may have potential efficacy for skin disease in dc-SSc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital 0K12-IB, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Gent, Belgium. Vanessa.Smith@ugent.be
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Van Praet
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vandooren
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van der Cruyssen
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Naeyaert
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Decuman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elewaut
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Keyser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D008775:Methylprednisolone