Vol.22 No.3

Case Report

Rituximab as a new therapeutic option in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a report of two cases

Authors

Ediz Dalkilic1,4 , Nihan Alkis2 , Sevil Kamali3

  • Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uludağ Medical Faculty, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Uludağ Medical Faculty, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
  • Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Bademli mah., Eğitim cad., Gümüşköy sitesi, 24/20 Mudanya, Bursa, Turkey
Received:

9 May 2011

Accepted:

25 July 2011

Published online:

17 August 2011

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Abstract

Findings of several reports suggest that rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody causing B-lymphocyte depletion, might represent a treatment option for people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (former Wegener’s granulomatosis). This study presents the results of rituximab treatment in two patients with treatment-refractory GPA. First patient received rituximab for a granulomatous posterior orbital mass lesion, and eye symptoms were resolved after three courses of treatment. The second patient had eye and paranasal sinus involvement and benefited from two courses of rituximab treatment, with significant clinical improvement. Rituximab may represent an effective novel treatment for remission induction in GPA.

Key words

Rituximab - Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - Ocular involvement