title: Successful rituximab treatment of refractory hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: High-dose steroids, immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine, and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin have all been used to control hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, some patients are refractory to treatment. Rituximab has successfully resolved many of the refractory manifestations of SLE. Here, we report a case of HLH and AIHA associated with SLE that was refractory or intolerable to conventional therapy, but was successfully treated with rituximab.
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center , Seoul , Korea.
authors: Min Wook
authors: MW
authors: So
authors: Bon San
authors: BS
authors: Koo
authors: You Jae
authors: YJ
authors: Kim
authors: Yong-Gil
authors: YG
authors: Kim
authors: Chang-Keun
authors: CK
authors: Lee
authors: Bin
authors: B
authors: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051359:Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; Refractory; Rituximab; Systemic lupus erythematosus