title: B cell elimination in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with a worldwide distribution, potentially life-threatening with considerable morbidity. The elimination of pathogenic B cells has emerged as a rational therapeutic option. Many open label studies have reported encouraging results in which clinical and serological remission have invariably been described, often enabling the reduction of steroid and immunosuppressive treatment. However, the results from randomized controlled studies have been disappointing and several questions remain to be answered. In this review we will focus on results of B cell direct depletion in the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Egas Moniz Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal. joaofurtado2010@gmail.com
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furtado
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Isenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000009:adverse effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001323:Autoantibodies; D000069283:Rituximab