Indications, efficacy and safety of rituximab in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective study of the Juvenile Inflammatory Rheumatism (JIR) cohort
Authors' conclusion
RTX in refractory cSLE reduced disease activity and steroid dependence with an acceptable safety profile.
Study context
- Population
- Children with childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) treated with RTX in the national JIR cohort; 85.4% girls, mean age at diagnosis 11.7 years
- Participants
- 41 children
- Outcome
- Disease activity (SLEDAI-2K) after RTX
- Follow-up
- 3 and 6 months post-RTX infusion
Methodological detailsnational, multicentre registry (JIR cohort), RTX given on average 16 months post-diagnosis; at initiation 87% had received or were receiving corticosteroids, 21% NSAIDs and 82% immunosuppressants
- National
- Multicentre registry (JIR cohort)
- RTX given on average 16 months post-diagnosis; at initiation 87% had received or were receiving corticosteroids, 21% NSAIDs and 82% immunosuppressants
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Significant improvements in disease activity (SLEDAI-2K) vs baseline
- P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Corticosteroid dose after RTX
- Corticosteroid usage reduced from 0.93 mg/kg to 0.39 mg/kg (P = 0.001)
No increase in baseline immunosuppressive therapy or initiation of a new treatment · 1 year after last infusion
- Paediatric subjects not needing increased baseline immunosuppression or a new treatment
- 52.5%
Safety
Adverse effects
- Patients with adverse effects
- 17%
Anaphylactic reactions
- Patients experiencing anaphylactic reactions
- 7.3%
Original publication
Indications, efficacy and safety of rituximab in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective study of the JIR cohort. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 25 April 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →