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Combination therapy with rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil in systemic sclerosis. A single-centre case series study.
- Source :
-
Clinical and experimental rheumatology [Clin Exp Rheumatol] 2018 Jul-Aug; Vol. 36 Suppl 113 (4), pp. 142-145. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Sep 30. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Objectives: To describe a single centre experience using combination therapy with rituximab (RTX) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in a prospective series of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with pulmonary and cutaneous involvement, rapidly progressive or resistant to conventional therapy.<br />Methods: RTX was administered in two different regimens (1000 mg fortnightly x 2 or 375 mg/m2/week for 4 consecutive weeks) at baseline and after 6 months, associated with MMF 2000 mg/day continuously. Cutaneous fibrosis was evaluated assessing modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) and pulmonary involvement was evaluated performing pulmonary function tests, diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide and chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The radiological extension of the interstitial lung disease (ILD) at HRCT, was assessed with the conventional visual reader-based score (CoVR) and with a computerised-aided method (CaM) using a DICOM soft- ware.<br />Results: Eighteen SSc patients underwent combination therapy (F/M: 10/8, median age 51 years, median duration of disease 27 months). Data from fifteen patients were available at 12-month follow-up. The mRSS showed a significant improvement; a significant increase in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in the first second were also observed. In addition, a signi cant reduction of the extension of ILD was detected when evaluated with CaM. No serious adverse events were observed during the follow-up period.<br />Conclusions: Despite preliminary results and limited to a small number of patients, our data suggest that therapy with RTX and MMF is well tolerated, safe, and potentially effective for cutaneous and pulmonary involvement in SSc.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents adverse effects
Italy
Lung immunology
Lung physiopathology
Lung Diseases, Interstitial diagnosis
Lung Diseases, Interstitial immunology
Lung Diseases, Interstitial physiopathology
Male
Middle Aged
Mycophenolic Acid adverse effects
Prospective Studies
Recovery of Function
Rituximab adverse effects
Scleroderma, Systemic diagnosis
Scleroderma, Systemic immunology
Scleroderma, Systemic physiopathology
Skin immunology
Skin physiopathology
Skin Diseases diagnosis
Skin Diseases immunology
Skin Diseases physiopathology
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult
Immunosuppressive Agents therapeutic use
Lung drug effects
Lung Diseases, Interstitial drug therapy
Mycophenolic Acid therapeutic use
Rituximab therapeutic use
Scleroderma, Systemic drug therapy
Skin drug effects
Skin Diseases drug therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0392-856X
- Volume :
- 36 Suppl 113
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Clinical and experimental rheumatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30277864