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 childhoodonset
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
