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Acta Dermatovenerologica Croatica, Vol. 28 No. 2, 2020.

Original scientific paper

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

Saša Sršen orcid id orcid.org/0000-0001-6555-2613 ; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Split, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Marijan Frković orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-1520-3375 ; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Malčić orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-1060-0988 ; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Split, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Marija Jelušić orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-1728-4260 ; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Split, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia

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Abstract

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.

Keywords

systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, child, adolescent

Hrčak ID:

281272

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/281272

Publication date:

16.7.2020.

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