We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
A prospective study on clinical response and cell-mediated immunity of pemphigus patients treated with rituximab.
- Authors
Leshem, Y A; David, M; Hodak, E; Waitman, D A; Vardy, D; Israeli, M; Eskin-Schwartz, M; Bergman, R; Mimouni, D
- Abstract
Rituximab has recently been reported in retrospective studies to be effective in pemphigus at the dosing schedule used for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of two 1,000 mg infusions 2 weeks apart. While the effect of rituximab on B cells has been well described, its effect on global T cell function has not been assessed. Ten patients who received RA dosage rituximab were prospectively assessed for clinical response. Immunological response including autoantibody titers, CD20+ B cell, and CD4+ T cell counts was assessed pre- and post-treatment. The CD4+ T cell function was determined by a novel assay measuring intracellular ATP levels in response to mitogenic stimulus. At 6 months, 90 % of patients achieved remission. Disease control and remission were achieved at median times of 1 and 3.7 months, respectively. There was a 67 % relapse rate during an average follow-up of 22 months. Global CD4+ T cell numbers and function were preserved 3 months after rituximab. A single cycle of RA dosage rituximab with concomitant immunosuppression is effective in pemphigus. We did not find an effect on total CD4+ T cell numbers or function 3 months after treatment.
- Publication
Archives of dermatological research, 2014, Vol 306, Issue 1, p67
- ISSN
1432-069X
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00403-013-1355-4