Rituximab is effective in the treatment of refractory ophthalmic Wegener's granulomatosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of rituximab in patients with refractory ophthalmic Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).


METHODS
Data from 10 consecutive patients with refractory ophthalmic WG treated with rituximab were retrospectively reviewed. In all patients, the ophthalmic disease was driving treatment decisions, and disease activity had persisted despite standard immunosuppressive treatment. Patients had refractory scleritis (n=3), orbital granulomas causing optic nerve compromise (n=4), or a combination of both conditions (n=3). All patients had been treated with at least 3 different immunosuppressive agents, and 5 patients had previously been treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha blockade. Rituximab was administered intravenously in 2 doses, 2 weeks apart, in combination with standard treatment. Disease activity was monitored clinically by an interdisciplinary approach, including disease activity scoring, immunodiagnostics, and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as by corresponding reductions in the required dose of conventional medication.


RESULTS
A beneficial response to treatment with rituximab was seen in all 10 patients, including induction of clinical remission. In all patients, the peripheral blood B cell count fell to zero during treatment with rituximab. Titers of classic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies fell in association with B cell counts, and this reduction was correlated with improved clinical findings.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to previous observations, this study showed that treatment with rituximab was associated with clinical improvement in patients with refractory ophthalmic WG.
Taylor
Simon R J
SR
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK.
Salama
Alan D
AD
Joshi
Lavnish
L
Pusey
Charles D
CD
Lightman
Susan L
SL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D015423:Scleritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab