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Rituximab in Treatment of Children with Refractory Vasculitis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Single Center Experience in Croatia

The aim of this study was to present our experience in rituximab therapy in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, and ANCA- associated vasculitis. We conducted a retrospective clinical chart review of all patients treated with rituximab in the time period from January 2009 to December 2015. Eight patients (3 boys and 5 girls) aged 8 to 15 at the onset of disease were treated with rituximab. Remission of disease was accomplished in 4 patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis, a partial improvement was achieved in 1 patient with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis as well as in 2 patients with vasculitis, while in one patient with vasculitis treatment with rituximab showed no effect and the patient died due to Candida sepsis. Reduction of corticosteroid doses was enabled by rituximab treatment. Rituximab appeared to be a safe and efficient therapeutic option in severe cases of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus or ANCA-associated vasculitis that failed to respond to conventional therapy or as a rescue therapy in life-threatening conditions.

Rituximab ; Vasculitis ; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ; Children

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