Effect of rituximab on refractory Wegener granulomatosis with predominant granulomatous disease

J Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Apr;14(2):92-3. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0b013e31816b4487.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / drug effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / drug therapy*
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Remission Induction
  • Rituximab
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Steroids / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Steroids
  • Rituximab
  • Cyclophosphamide