Efficacy and safety of rituximab for systemic lupus erythematosus‐associated immune cytopenias: A multicenter retrospective cohort study of 71 adults. Issue 3 (25th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Serris, Alexandra; Amoura, Zahir; Canouï‐Poitrine, Florence; Terrier, Benjamin; Hachulla, Eric; Costedoat‐Chalumeau, Nathalie; Papo, Thomas; Lambotte, Olivier; Saadoun, David; Hié, Miguel; Blanche, Philippe; Lioger, Bertrand; Gottenberg, Jacques‐Eric; Godeau, Bertrand; Michel, Marc
• Is Part Of: American journal of hematology. Volume 93:Issue 3(2018:Mar.)
• Page Start: 424
• Page End: 429
• Publication Date: 2018-01-25
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; 616.15
• DOI: 10.1002/ajh.24999
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0361-8609

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) for treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐associated immune cytopenias. This multicenter retrospective cohort study of adults from French referral centers and networks for adult immune cytopenias and SLE involved patients ≥18 years old with a definite diagnosis of SLE treated with RTX specifically for SLE‐associated immune cytopenia from 2005 to 2015. Response assessment was based on standard definitions. In total, 71 patients, 61 women (85.9%), with median age 36 years [interquartile range 31‐48], were included. The median duration of SLE at the time of the first RTX administration was 6.1 years [2.6‐11.6] and the reason for using RTX was immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) for 44 patients (62.0%), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) for 16 (22.5%), Evans syndrome for 10 (14.1%), and pure red cell aplasia for one patient. Before receiving RTX, patients had received a mean of 3.1 ± 1.3 treatments that included corticosteroids (100%), and hydroxychloroquine (88.5%). The overall initial response rate to RTX was 86% (91% with ITP, 87.5% with AIHA, and 60% with Evans syndrome), including 60.5% with complete response. Median follow‐up after the first injection of RTX was 26.4 months [14.3‐71.2]. Among 61 initial responders, relapse occurred in 24 (39.3%); for 18, RTX retreatment was successful in 16 (88.8%). Severe infections occurred after RTX in three patients, with no fatal outcome. No cases of RTX‐induced neutropenia were observed. In conclusion, RTX seems effective and relatively safe for treating SLE‐associated immune cytopenias.