title: Reprint of: B cell elimination in systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin. Immunol. 146(2) 90-103.
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: Department of Internal Medicine, Egas Moniz Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: João
authors: J
authors: Furtado
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Isenberg
keywords: ALMS; APRIL; APS; Aspreva Lupus Management Study; B cell depletion; B cell depletion therapy; B lymphocyte stimulator protein; BCDT; BILAG; BLyS; British Isles Lupus Assessment Group; ECLAM; EXPLORER; European Community Lupus Activity Measure; Exploratory Phase II/III SLE Evaluation of Rituximab; FDA; Food and Drug Administration; HACA; ITP; LN; LUMINA; LUNAR; Lupus Nephritis Assessment With Rituximab; Lupus in Minorities: Nature vs. Nurture; PML; Rituximab; SLAM; SLE; SLEDAI; Systemic Lupus Activity Measure; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index; Systemic lupus erythematosus; TNF; antiphospholipid syndrome; host antibodies against the chimeric portion of rituximab; immune thrombocytopenia; lupus nephritis; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; proliferation inducing ligand; systemic lupus erythematosus; tumor necrosis factor