Treatment of relapsing polychondritis with rituximab: a retrospective study of nine patients.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen expressed by B cells, is now considered an effective second-line therapy in various systemic diseases. We describe here the effects of rituximab in patients with relapsing polychondritis.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective study of 9 patients with relapsing polychondritis who received different regimens of rituximab in addition to their ongoing therapies. Clinical, laboratory, physiologic, and radiologic indicators were used to assess disease activity. We also examined their corticosteroid doses and any change in immunosuppressive agents. We then compared disease activity in the 6 months preceding rituximab administration and at 6 and 12 months after.

RESULTS:

At 6 months, 2 patients showed partial improvement, 4 were stable, and 3 had worsened disease; however, no patient had complete remission. At 12 months (after exclusion of the 3 patients whose disease had worsened at 6 months), 2 patients remained stable and 4 had worsened disease; however, there were no partial or complete remissions. B cells were counted in 8 patients during the first 6 months after treatment, and B cell depletion was observed in all of the patients.

CONCLUSION:

Although we cannot rule out the possibility that rituximab had a small effect, our patients' clinical courses did not improve significantly with this treatment.

• Authors: Gaëlle Leroux, Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau, Benoît Brihaye, Judith Cohen-Bittan, Zahir Amoura, Julien Haroche, Nicolas Limal, Olivier Bletry, Jean-Charles Piette
• Journal: Arthritis and rheumatism (Arthritis Rheum) Vol. 61 Issue 5 Pg. 577-82 (May 15 2009) ISSN: 0004-3591 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19405005 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antirheumatic Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Rituximab

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antirheumatic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Lymphocyte Depletion
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polychondritis, Relapsing (drug therapy)
• Retrospective Studies
• Rituximab
• Treatment Outcome