title: Rituximab as a new therapeutic option in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a report of two cases.
abstract: Findings of several reports suggest that rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody causing B-lymphocyte depletion, might represent a treatment option for people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (former Wegener's granulomatosis). This study presents the results of rituximab treatment in two patients with treatment-refractory GPA. First patient received rituximab for a granulomatous posterior orbital mass lesion, and eye symptoms were resolved after three courses of treatment. The second patient had eye and paranasal sinus involvement and benefited from two courses of rituximab treatment, with significant clinical improvement. Rituximab may represent an effective novel treatment for remission induction in GPA.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uludağ Medical Faculty, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey. edizinci@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ediz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dalkilic
authors.forename: Nihan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alkis
authors.forename: Sevil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab