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Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Rituximab in Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: From Immunopathogenesis to Therapeutic
Dimitrios Chatzis1, Aggelos Banos2,3, Antonis Fanouriakis2
12nd Pulmonary Medicine Department, University Hospital "Attikon", Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 104 31 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) comprises a heterogeneous group of immune-mediated pulmonary disorders with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis involves complex interactions of autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis. B cells play a central role in these processes through antigen presentation, autoantibody production, cytokine secretion, and the formation of ectopic lymphoid tissue within the lung parenchyma. Rituximab (RTX)-a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody-depletes B cells and has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for CTD-ILD. This review comprehensively presents the immunopathogenic mechanisms underlying CTD-ILD, elaborating on the multifaceted mode of action of RTX and summarizing the evolving clinical evidence.
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