title: [Refractory dermatomyositis associated with chronic organizing pneumonia treated with rituximab: report of one case].
abstract: Chronic organizing pneumonia (COP) has often been reported as a pulmonary manifestation of collagen vascular diseases, mainly rheumatoid arthritis, but the association of COP and dermatomyositis (DM) has rarely been documented. We report a 55 year-old woman with well-documented DM and a COP. She was refractory to steroids and two other immunosuppressive agents therapy (cyclophosphamide and azathioprine). Therefore, rituximab (2 x 1 g infusions) was used for treatment. During the following weeks her strength gradually increased while creatine kinase (CK), C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate normalized. After 6 months, she had a relapse with increased muscle enzymes, fever and moderate muscle weakness. After a second course of rituximab (2 x 1 g infusions), the patient demonstrated a remarkable clinical response as indicated by an increase in muscle strength and moderate decline in creatine kinase levels. Lung abnormalities resolved significantly on high resolution chest CT scan. Thus, B-cell depletion therapy with rituximab used alone or in combination with other immunosuppressants may be a viable option in patients with polymyositis-dermatomyositis and pneumonia refractory to current therapies.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yáñez V
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cisternas M
authors.forename: Velia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saldías H
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saldías P
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000150:complications; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D003402:Creatine Kinase