Systemic sclerosis and calcinosis cutis: response to rituximab

Abstract

What is known and objective: Calcinosis cutis (or cutaneous calcification) is a type of calcinosis wherein calcium deposits form in the skin and frequently encountered in limited cutaneous subtype of disease. So far, no treatment has shown an explicit beneficial effect. Medical therapy for calcinosis cutis with rituximab is limited and of variable benefit.

Case summary: Our patient was 54-year-old lady, a case of limited cutaneous scleroderma with widespread progressive calcinosis cutis unresponsive to current therapy. She went under treatment with rituximab with no successful outcome.

What is new and conclusion: Results of therapy with rituximab on regression/improvement of systemic sclerosis-related calcinosis are limited and non-conclusive.

Keywords: calcinosis; rituximab; systemic sclerosis.