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. 2010 Jul;29(7):707-16.
doi: 10.1007/s10067-010-1387-5. Epub 2010 Feb 13.

Off-label use of rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review

Eleanor Murray  1 , Martin Perry
Affiliations

Off-label use of rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review

Eleanor Murray et al. Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Jul.

Abstract

Considerable interest in the efficacy of rituximab (a monoclonal CD20 antibody) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been generated due to its unique mode of action, culminating in a series of randomized and open trials, and case reports. However, this use is off-license and two significant RCTs have reported negative findings, reopening the debate on clinical benefit. This review of the available data suggests that rituximab induces B-cell depletion in 95% of patients, and a significant reduction in disease activity is achieved with a relatively good safety profile in patients with SLE.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Process of selection of clinical trials in patients with SLE
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Percent change in disease activity scores following rituximab, by study sample size
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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