Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Delia Gerona
Spain
Research Article
Impact of Non-Fixed Versus 6 Month Fixed Retreatment Schedules on Serum Immunoglobulins Following Rituximab in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Author(s): Inmaculada de la Torre, Maria J Leandro, Delia Gerona, Lara Valor, Luis Carreno and Geraldine CambridgeInmaculada de la Torre, Maria J Leandro, Delia Gerona, Lara Valor, Luis Carreno and Geraldine Cambridge
Objectives: To assess the incidence of secondary hypogammaglobulinemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following multiple cycles of rituximab (RTX) related to two different therapy regimens.
Methods: 73 patients with RA were retreated using 6 months-fixed strategy and 63 patients using a non-fixed regimen. All received ≥ 2 courses of RTX. Data on serum immunoglobulins (Ig), serious infections and DAS28 were collected, with maximum follow-up being 24 months for the 6 months fixed group and 156 months for the non-fixed group). Statistics for non-parametric analysis were applied.
Results: The percentages of patients developing low IgG or IgM did not differ between groups after the 3rd cycle, but those with non-fixed retreatment tended to be higher. After 4 cycles, median IgM levels were significantly lowe.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-9899.S6-005