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Refractory lupus panniculitis treated successfully with rituximab: Two cases
Partisha Gupta1, Aditya Dhanawat1, Ipsita Mohanty2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Annals of African Medicine
|August 22, 2020
Summary
Refractory lupus panniculitis can be effectively treated with rituximab, a B-cell depleting therapy. This treatment offers a promising alternative for patients unresponsive to standard immunosuppressives, with manageable side effects.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology and Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Lupus panniculitis is a challenging autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation of subcutaneous fat.
- Conventional treatments often involve multiple immunosuppressants, leading to variable efficacy and significant long-term side effects.
Observation:
- Two cases of refractory lupus panniculitis, resistant to standard therapies, were identified.
- These patients were treated with rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody.
Findings:
- Rituximab treatment led to successful clinical responses in both refractory lupus panniculitis cases.
- The mechanism involves the reduction of circulating mature B-cells, decreasing autoantibody production and inflammatory mediators.
- Reported side effects were minimal and outweighed by the significant clinical improvements and enhanced psychological well-being.
Implications:
- Rituximab represents a viable and effective therapeutic option for patients with recalcitrant lupus panniculitis.
- This approach offers an alternative for individuals who do not respond adequately to conventional immunosuppressive treatments.
- Further research into rituximab's long-term efficacy and safety profile in lupus panniculitis is warranted.
