Abstract
Wegener granulomatosis is an autoimmune disorder with a double spectrum. Vasculitic manifestations are at one end of it, whereas granulomatous ones are at the other. Rituximab (RTX) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that has been successfully used in this condition. However, the granulomatous forms have been reported to show a tendency to be less responsive to RTX than the vasculitic disease. We present 4 cases of predominantly Wegener granulomatosis that responded positively to RTX.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / drug effects*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
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Female
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Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / drug therapy*
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Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / physiopathology
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Remission Induction
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Rituximab
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Secondary Prevention
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Steroids / therapeutic use
Substances
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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Steroids
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Rituximab
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Cyclophosphamide