title: Current status on B-cell depletion therapy in autoimmune diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Since the approval of the chimeric anti-CD20 antibody rituximab for the treatment of adults with severe-to-moderate rheumatoid arthritis after an inadequate response to TNF blockade, B-cell depletion therapy has been used for the treatment of a broad range of refractory autoimmune disorders. Based on current experiences and a literature search, a systematic review and evaluation of the current status of B-cell depletion therapy in autoimmune diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis, including rheumatic, nephrologic, dermatologic and neurologic autoimmune entities, was performed by an international group of experts based at several academic centres. Although important questions remain about the value and place of B-cell depletion in autoimmune diseases other than RA, preliminary data indicate the value of this therapeutic approach in otherwise refractory patients. However, given the lack of robust data from large randomised controlled trials, anti-CD20 therapy should be considered on an individual basis in otherwise refractory patients and its use based on a risk/benefit net calculation.
authors.affiliation: Charité Medicine University, Berlin, Germany. thomas.doerner@charite.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dörner
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Isenberg
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jayne
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiendl
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zillikens
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burmester
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D018570:Risk Assessment; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab