title: Rituximab and lupus--a promising pair?
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically diverse and potentially life-threatening auto-immune disease that can affect almost any organ system. Although much is still unknown regarding its pathogenesis, B cell abnormalities are thought to be central. A high relapse rate along with the toxicity associated with conventional treatments signify the need for more tailored approaches in this very heterogeneous disease. Both its mechanism targeting B cells and a relatively large number of case series and observational studies have suggested that the B cell-depleting agent rituximab could be a potent SLE drug. However, two randomized controlled trials failed to meet efficacy endpoints. Nevertheless, rituximab has continued to be used as an off-label alternative mainly in patients refractory to conventional immunosuppressive treatment. This article will review the current role of rituximab in SLE.
authors: Unit for Clinical Therapy Research, Inflammatory Diseases (ClinTRID), Karolinska Institute, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden, Sara.eko@ki.se.
authors: Sara Linder
authors: SL
authors: Ekö
authors: Ronald F
authors: RF
authors: van Vollenhoven
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab