What’s the evidence for using Rituximab in refractory Lupus Nephritis?
To date, there is published data from over 20 studies, comprising 300 patients, of cases of refractory lupus or lupus nephritis treated with rituximab, with reported response rates of around 75%. However, positive reporting bias is a real concern, and no randomized trials in renal disease exist.
She continues to have very active serology; what does this mean?
Autoantibody levels in lupus and vasculitis do not predict relapse very well in general. The published studies report that responders will typically demonstrate a fall in anti–double-stranded DNA antibodies, and a correction of complement depletion. So, they appear to have more of a role in predicting response to treatment
This patient has now been in remission for over 1 year. However, I’m concerned about the possibility of an impending relapse. Relapses are reported as occurring after an average of 10 to 13 months, although some patients maintain remission for several years. Also, her peripheral B cells (CD19+ or CD20+ lymphocytes) have recently recovered. Patients who fail to achieve depletion tend to have poor or no clinical response, whereas prolonged B cell depletion is associated with a prolonged clinical response. Protocol re-treatment at 4- or 6-mo intervals is under evaluation, so for now there is no good answer to this question.
I am Female 37 years and had two rounds of rituximab treatments. I am now in my 5th year of remission, medication free. At my worst I have had acute renal failure and CNS involvement.
This drug appears to have had very good results for patients .. Could you please tell me where I can see the analysis of the results of the studies mentioned .. I am very interested in this information
This drug appears to have had very good results for patients .. Could you please tell me where I can see the analysis of the results of the studies mentioned ?.. I am very interested in this information
Great comments Francesco, thanks for the post
"However, positive reporting bias is a real concern, and no randomized trials in renal disease exist"
A positive reporting bias…
The LUNAR trial tested RTX vs. placebo in 144 pts with class III/IV LN. RTX treatment failed to meet its efficacy end-point. Notably, pts recieved 2 RTX infusions every 6 month in addition to CS and MMF. (http://www.gene.com/gene/news/press-releases/display.do?method=detail&id=11947)
Currently, the BELONG trial is in a recruitment phase. It will evaluate ocrelizumab in combination with CS, CYC and MMF.
Protocol RTX administration: Should we consider safe to maintain pts at 0% or near 0% CD20 positive B cells for a long-term period?
Moreover, RTX may have an effect beyond B cells. What about T reg and CD20+ T (T: not a mistake) cells?
Yes, I forgot to mention the fact that this patient was on maintenance MMF too. I'll update the post.
Many thanks,
Conall
I had the same dilemma after a patient achieved a complete response after rituxan…have you put any patients on standard maintenance therapy e.g with cellcept, after completion of rituxan tx