13 research outputs found
Rituximab in the treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: Comment on the article by Yoo
B cell depletion therapy upregulates Dkk-1 skin expression in patients with systemic sclerosis: association with enhanced resolution of skin fibrosis
Experience with rituximab in scleroderma: results from a 1-year, proof-of-principle study
Objective. To assess the efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in SSc
Clopidogrel treatment may associate with worsening of endothelial function and development of new digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis: results from an open label, proof of concept study
B-Cell Depletion Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis: Experimental Rationale and Update on Clinical Evidence
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic rheumatic disease with poor prognosis since therapeutic options are limited. Recent evidence from animal models suggests that B-cells may be actively involved in the fibrotic process. B-cells from tight skin mice, an animal model of scleroderma, display a “hyperresponsive” phenotype; treatment with rituximab (RTX) significantly attenuates skin fibrosis in this animal model. In humans, B-cell infiltration is a prominent finding in most lung biopsies obtained from patients with SSc-associated interstitial lung disease. Several open label studies have assessed the clinical efficacy of RTX in SSc. In most patients skin fibrosis improved; lung function either improved or remained stable. Definite conclusions regarding the clinical efficacy of RTX in SSc cannot be drawn but further exploration with a multicenter, randomized study is warranted