Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Low-dose rituximab in lupus enteritis: a comparative study on its efficacy in modulating mucosal immunity and reducing inflammation
Authors' conclusion
Both RTX plus glucocorticoids and conventional immunosuppressants plus glucocorticoids are effective in inducing clinical and radiologic remission in LE. RTX may lead to faster improvement in certain serologic and inflammatory biomarkers.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with moderate-to-severe lupus enteritis (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related intestinal involvement), January 2015 to August 2024
- Participants
- 36 patients
- Exposure
- Rituximab (RTX) plus GC vs GC with conventional immunosuppressants
- RTXn = 16
- Controln = 20reference
- Outcome
- Treatment response and safety outcomes
- Follow-up
- 6 months
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Remission
P = 0.418
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
SLEDAI-2K score, median, baseline to 6 months (RTX)
- Median SLEDAI-2K in RTX decreased from 15 to 0
- P < 0.001
BILAG-2004 score, baseline to 6 months (RTX)
- BILAG-2004 in RTX decreased from 31.5 to 0
- P < 0.001
IL-6 levels, baseline to 6 months (RTX)
- IL-6 in RTX declined from 26.57 ± 7.94 pg/mL to 4.15 ± 2.10 pg/mL, greater reduction than control
- P < 0.01
Clinical symptoms and imaging abnormalities
- Significant improvements with both strategies; no significant differences between groups
Fecal IgA
- Higher in lupus enteritis than healthy controls; decreased in both groups after treatment
Safety
Safety profiles · 6 months
- Comparable safety profiles
Original publication
Low-dose rituximab in lupus enteritis: a comparative study on its efficacy in modulating mucosal immunity and reducing inflammation. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 29 September 2025. doi:10.
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