Rituximab (RTX) was reported effective in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). We aimed to evaluate clinical efficacy of RTX in AAV along with its impact on immunological parameters. Eighteen RTX-treated AAV patients (M/F 11/7; median age 37.5; 15× PR3-ANCA, 3× MPO-ANCA; 16× relapsing/refractory, 2× first-line therapy) were enrolled. Clinical response, ANCA, total serum IgG levels and cellular immunity parameters were examined. The patients were followed up (FU) for a median of 26 months (range 3-82, 15 for ≥6 months). All patients achieved B cell depletion (lasting 3-24 months). No significant increase was noted in T cell or NK cell subpopulations. At 6 months, partial remission was achieved in 5/15 patients (33 %) and complete in 8 (53 %). The median prednisone dose (30..10 mg/d) and ANCA levels (17.2..2.7 IU/mL) decreased (p < 0.01). RTX retreatment was used in nine (8× pre-emptive, 1× relapse). Six patients relapsed (none of the pre-emptively treated). Three patients died of infection. IgG levels at 3 months decreased compared to baseline (9.0 vs 5.7 g/L, p < 0.01). Higher percentage of HLA-DR+CD3+ cells and lower percentage of CD4+CD45RA+ naive T cells persisted during FU. IFN-γ production increased at 6 months compared to baseline (27.3 vs 41.5 %). No significant change was noted in the intracellular IL-10 and IL-12 production. RTX helped to lower the glucocorticosteroids dose and withdraw cytotoxic drugs in most AAV patients. Hypogammaglobulinaemia was common but well tolerated. Peripheral circulating T cells remained activated despite B cell depletion.

• MeSH
• ANCA-asociované vaskulitidy farmakoterapie   imunologie   MeSH
• buněčná imunita účinky léků   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• humorální imunita účinky léků   MeSH
• imunoglobulin G krev   MeSH
• imunologické faktory farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• myší monoklonální protilátky farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• rituximab MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunoglobulin G MeSH
• imunologické faktory MeSH
• myší monoklonální protilátky MeSH
• rituximab MeSH