Two Takayasu arteritis patients successfully treated with rituximab.
Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare form of chronic large vessel vasculitis of unknown origin involving the aorta and its major branches. Recently, the involvement of B lymphocytes in TA has been suggested, and active refractory TA patients were successfully treated with B cell depletion therapy (BCDT). We report two cases of patients with TA successfully treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab). The favorable outcome of rituximab treatment in our patients also support the view that BCDT can be a useful option for refractory TA, and its potential should be evaluated in controlled trials.
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
E
E
Caltran
G
G
Di Colo
G
G
Ghigliotti
R
R
Capecchi
E
E
Catarsi
I
I
Puxeddu
P
P
Migliorini
A
A
Tavoni
D000328:Adult; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069283:Rituximab; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab