Safety and efficacy of combined cyclophosphamide and rituximab treatment in recalcitrant childhood lupus.

To report the safety and efficacy of combined cyclophosphamide and rituximab treatment in Saudi children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Medical records of all children with SLE treated with cyclophosphamide and rituximab between June 2007 and June 2012 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, were reviewed for demographic characteristics, age at diagnosis, concomitant treatments, indication of using rituximab and adverse events during the treatment period. Clinical and serologic response parameters included SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), complement, anti-ds DNA antibody and ANA levels, and mean daily corticosteroid dose assessed 3 months before combined cyclophosphamide and rituximab infusion course and at 6-month interval afterward. Sixteen patients (13 girls) with refractory SLE treated with cyclophosphamide and rituximab were included. The mean age at onset of SLE was 7.8 + 3.3 years, while the mean age at diagnosis was 8.1 + 3.4 years; the mean disease duration was 4.7 + 3.2 years. All patients were treated with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive drugs. Nephritis (8 patients) was the most frequent indication; other indications included refractory arthritis, thrombocytopenia, severe mucocutaneous lesions and central nervous system involvement. All patients received 2 doses, but 4 required 4-8 extra doses. All patients showed improvement in response parameters. There was significant reduction in SLEDAI (P < 0.0002) and corticosteroid dose (P < 0.005). A total of 4 adverse events were notified; 2 developed infusion-related reactions. One patient had severe soft tissue fungal infection, and other patient had pancreatitis. Our data showed beneficial therapeutic and steroid-sparing effects of rituximab as adjunctive treatment for children with refractory SLE including both renal and extrarenal manifestations. Although rituximab was well tolerated by the majority of patients, it may associated with various adverse events.