Rituximab in the treatment of refractory dermatomyositis.
Publication/Presentation Date
10-1-2005
Abstract
Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory myopathy characterized by muscle weakness and inflammation. In contrast to polymyositis and inclusion body myositis, humoral immune mechanisms appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis. A 56-year-old man with dermatomyositis resistant to conventional therapies was treated with 6 weekly infusions of the anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, at a dosage of 100 mg/m in addition to other agents. The patient demonstrated a remarkable clinical response as indicated by an increase in muscle strength and a decline in creatine kinase enzymes. B-cell depletion therapy with rituximab used alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies may be a viable option in patients with dermatomyositis as well as other autoimmune diseases refractory to current therapies.
Volume
11
Issue
5
First Page
264
Last Page
266
ISSN
1076-1608
Published In/Presented At
Chiappetta, N., Steier, J., & Gruber, B. (2005). Rituximab in the treatment of refractory dermatomyositis. Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases, 11(5), 264–266. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.rhu.0000182155.08982.60
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
16357773
Department(s)
Department of Medicine
Document Type
Article