Rituximab Therapy for Refractory Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SlE) and autoimmune polyendocrinopathy are characterized by autoantibodies against a variety of target organs. Traditional treatment strategies for immune cytopenias include global immunosuppression that targets both the humoral and cell-mediated arms of the immune system. B-cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases. Targeted depletion of B-lymphocytes is an alternative treatment approach for autoimmune disorders. rituximab—a chimeric, human Igg1 K monoclonal antibody—is specific for the CD20 antigen and can selectively deplete B-cells via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, complement-mediated cytotoxicity, and inhibition of cell proliferation with direct induction of B-cell apoptosis. Several studies have shown the efficacy and safety of rituximab in the treatment of autoimmune disorders [1-5].