Edward M Vital1, Miriam Wittmann2, Sara Edward3, Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof1, Helen MacIver4, Colin T Pease1, M Goodfield1, Paul Emery1. 1. NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. 2. NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and University of Leeds, Leeds, UK, and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK. 3. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK. 4. Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is heterogeneous, and responses of skin to rituximab are variable. This study was undertaken to determine the phenotype of rituximab-responsive disease. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with SLE who were receiving rituximab were prospectively studied. Of these patients, 32 had significant skin involvement before or after treatment. Disease activity was assessed using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index 2004. Cutaneous lupus subtype was classified by a dermatologist as acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE), subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), or other skin diseases, with supportive photographs or biopsies where necessary. RESULTS: Of 26 patients with skin disease at baseline, 9 (35%) had a beneficial mucocutaneous response to rituximab at 6 months, with good responses in ACLE (6 of 14 patients [43%]), and poor responses in CCLE (0 of 8 patients) (P = 0.034). Clinical response was associated with anti-RNP negativity (P = 0.024) and anti-Ro negativity (P = 0.031). Flares of SCLE and CCLE occurred in 12 patients who either had no skin disease or had ACLE at baseline (i.e., a switch in subtype). Concomitant antimalarials or conventional immunosuppressants were not associated with response or flare rate. Posttreatment biopsies confirmed typical active SLE histology in lesions occurring during B cell depletion. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the clinical response to rituximab in cutaneous manifestations of SLE depends on subtype. None of the CCLE patients responded, and new CCLE lesions were observed during B cell depletion, suggesting that initiation and activity of these lesions is not B cell dependent. Flares of a range of skin diseases after B cell depletion may indicate a change in immune regulation following B cell-targeted therapy.
OBJECTIVE: The immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is heterogeneous, and responses of skin to rituximab are variable. This study was undertaken to determine the phenotype of rituximab-responsive disease. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with SLE who were receiving rituximab were prospectively studied. Of these patients, 32 had significant skin involvement before or after treatment. Disease activity was assessed using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index 2004. Cutaneous lupus subtype was classified by a dermatologist as acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE), subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), or other skin diseases, with supportive photographs or biopsies where necessary. RESULTS: Of 26 patients with skin disease at baseline, 9 (35%) had a beneficial mucocutaneous response to rituximab at 6 months, with good responses in ACLE (6 of 14 patients [43%]), and poor responses in CCLE (0 of 8 patients) (P = 0.034). Clinical response was associated with anti-RNP negativity (P = 0.024) and anti-Ro negativity (P = 0.031). Flares of SCLE and CCLE occurred in 12 patients who either had no skin disease or had ACLE at baseline (i.e., a switch in subtype). Concomitant antimalarials or conventional immunosuppressants were not associated with response or flare rate. Posttreatment biopsies confirmed typical active SLE histology in lesions occurring during B cell depletion. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the clinical response to rituximab in cutaneous manifestations of SLE depends on subtype. None of the CCLE patients responded, and new CCLE lesions were observed during B cell depletion, suggesting that initiation and activity of these lesions is not B cell dependent. Flares of a range of skin diseases after B cell depletion may indicate a change in immune regulation following B cell-targeted therapy.
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