Rituximab in lupus nephritis: A non-systematic review

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a common and severe complication in patients with lupus. Current therapy is based on immunosuppressive drugs and glucocorticoids. Recently, rituximab has been proposed as an alternative treatment for LN. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen receptor on B cells. The aim of this review is to summarize all the available information about rituximab in LN. Eleven studies were found; three of them were observational studies (2 prospective and 1 retrospective) and eight were clinical trials (7 open-label studies and only 1 randomized controlled trial [RCT]). The evidence is insufficient to establish the role of rituximab in the treatment of LN. Results from the only RCT, which were negative, suggest a clinical benefit in black people. Further studies must confirm this hypothesis. Controlled clinical trials involving adaptive randomization are required to establish the real benefit of rituximab in LN.