Favorable efficacy of rituximab in ANCA-associated vasculitis patients with excessive B cell differentiation.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

B cell depletion by rituximab (RTX) is an effective treatment for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, peripheral B cell phenotypes and the selection criteria for RTX therapy in AAV remain unclear.

Methods

Phenotypic characterization of circulating B cells was performed by 8-color flow cytometric analysis in 54 newly diagnosed AAV patients (20 granulomatosis with polyangiitis and 34 microscopic polyangiitis). Patients were considered eligible to receive intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse (IV-CY) or RTX. All patients also received high-dose glucocorticoids (GC). We assessed circulating B cell phenotypes and evaluated the efficacy after 6 months of treatment.

Results

There were no significant differences in the

SUBMITTER: Miyazaki Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7294638 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature