Efficacy of rituximab in refractory antisynthetase syndrome

Intern Med J. 2012 Mar;42(3):e4-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02702.x.

Abstract

We report the successful use of repeated administration of rituximab in a patient with antisynthetase syndrome refractory to conventional immunosuppressive medications. A literature review revealed that previous experience with rituximab in this condition has been sparse. The rationale for the use of B-cell depleting therapies in antisynthetase syndrome has been explored in light of the current understanding of the pathogenesis of this condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Autoantigens / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • CA-19-9 Antigen / blood
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy*
  • Dermatomyositis / immunology
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / immunology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / drug therapy
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / etiology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / immunology
  • Remission Induction
  • Rituximab
  • Syndrome
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / complications
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / complications

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • Biomarkers
  • CA-19-9 Antigen
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Rituximab
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases