Rituximab Might Be Useful for Recalcitrant Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

Rituximab shows promise as an alternative treatment for SCLE refractory to the usual approaches.

Rituximab, a chimeric antibody that results in depletion of B cells, is approved for use in non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is believed to be driven by T cells, but antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity might have a role. These authors report the use of rituximab for treating subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), a variant of CLE that is often associated with anti-Ro antibodies.

Three patients had disease that was recalcitrant to photoprotection, topical agents, antimalarials, systemic corticosteroids, and a variety of systemic immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agents. They were treated with rituximab (4 infusions of 375 m…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)