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. 2002 Oct;61(10):883–888. doi: 10.1136/ard.61.10.883

Clinical outcome in 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with B lymphocyte depletion

M Leandro 1, J Edwards 1, G Cambridge 1
PMCID: PMC1753912  PMID: 12228157

Abstract

Objectives: To obtain evidence for dose response and to extend evidence of safety and efficacy for B lymphocyte depletion in rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Twenty two patients with rheumatoid arthritis received a total of 29 treatments with five different combinations of rituximab (RTX), cyclophosphamide (CP), and/or high dose prednisolone (PR) on an open basis as follows; cohort I: RTX 1400 mg/m2, CP 750x2+PR; cohort II: RTX 300–700 mg/m2, -CP±PR); cohort III: RTX 600–700 mg/m2, CP 750x2+PR; cohort IV: RTX 1200 mg/m2, CP 750x2-PR; cohort V: RTX 500 mg/m2, CP 750x2+PR. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria of improvement at six months were chosen as the primary outcome measure. Disease activity scores and total duration of improvement and of B cytopenia were also recorded.

Results: No major adverse events attributable to treatment were seen. ACR grades of improvement at six months were as follows: cohort I: ACR70x3, ACR50x2; cohort II: ACR20x1, ACR0x3; cohort III: ACR70x6, ACR50x2, ACR20x2; cohort IV: ACR70x2, ACR50x2, ACR20x1, ACR0x1; cohort V: ACR0x4.

Conclusions: B lymphocyte depletion in rheumatoid arthritis has so far proved to be safe and associated with major improvement with protocols including RTX 600 mg/m2 or more and CP, but not with more limited protocols. These observations provide an initial basis for the design of formal trials of B cell depletion and other B cell directed treatments, including a phase II controlled trial now in progress.

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Figure 1 .

Figure 1

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Mean modified disease activity score (DAS28) for each cohort. Bars indicate minimum and maximum values.

Figure 2 .

Figure 2

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Mean total serum immunoglobulin levels. Bars indicate minimum and maximum levels.

Selected References

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