Skip to main content

Two Takayasu arteritis patients successfully treated with rituximab

Clinical Rheumatology volume 33, pages 1183–1184 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare form of chronic large vessel vasculitis of unknown origin involving the aorta and its major branches. Recently, the involvement of B lymphocytes in TA has been suggested, and active refractory TA patients were successfully treated with B cell depletion therapy (BCDT). We report two cases of patients with TA successfully treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab). The favorable outcome of rituximab treatment in our patients also support the view that BCDT can be a useful option for refractory TA, and its potential should be evaluated in controlled trials.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Arnaud L, Haroche J, Mathian A, Gorochov G, Amoura Z (2011) Pathogenesis of Takayasu's arteritis: a 2011 update. Autoimmun Rev 11:61–67

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Sima D, Thiele B, Turowski A, Wilke K, Hiepe F, Volk D et al (1994) Anti-endothelial antibodies in Takayasu arteritis. Arthritis Rheum 37:441–443

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Inder SJ, Bobryshev YV, Cherian SM, Wang AY, Lord RS, Masuda K et al (2000) Immunophenotypic analysis of the aortic wall in Takayasu’s arteritis: involvement of lymphocytes, dendritic cells and granulocytes in immuno- inflammatory reactions. Cardiovasc Surg 8:141–148

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sharma BK, Jain S, Suri S, Numano F (1996) Diagnostic criteria for Takayasu arteritis. Int J Cardiol 54:S141–S147

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Comarmond C, Plaisier E, Dahan K, Mirault T, Emmerich J, Amoura Z et al (2012) Anti TNF-α in refractory Takayasu's arteritis: cases series and review of the literature. Autoimmun Rev 11:678–684

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Quartuccio L, Schiavon F, Zuliani F, Carraro V, Catarsi E, Tavoni AG et al (2012) Long-term efficacy and improvement of health-related quality of life in patients with Takayasu's arteritis treated with infliximab. Clin Exp Rheumatol 30(6):922–928

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Hoffman GS, Merkel PA, Brasington RD, Lenschow DJ, Liang P (2004) Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in patients with difficult to treat Takayasu arteritis. Arthritis Rheum 50:2296–2304

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Salvarani C, Magnani L, Catanoso M, Pipitone N, Versari A, Dardani L et al (2012) Tocilizumab: a novel therapy for patients with large-vessel vasculitis. Rheumatology 51:151–156

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Nishimoto N, Nakahara H, Yoshio-Hoshino N, Mima T (2008) Successful treatment of a patient with Takayasu arteritis using a humanized anti interleukin-6 receptor antibody. Arthritis Rheum 58:1197–1200

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Galarza C, Valencia D, Tobón GJ, Zurita L, Mantilla RD, Pineda-Tamayo R et al (2008) Should rituximab be considered as the first-choice treatment for severe autoimmune rheumatic diseases? Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 34:124–128

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Hoyer BF, Mumtaz IM, Loddenkemper K, Bruns A, Sengler C, Hermann KG et al (2012) Takayasu arteritis is characterised by disturbances of B cell homeostasis and responds to B cell depletion therapy with rituximab. Ann Rheum Dis 71:75–79

    CAS  PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Disclosures

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy

    E. Caltran, G. Di Colo, R. Capecchi, E. Catarsi, I. Puxeddu, P. Migliorini & A. Tavoni

  2. Cardiology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University of Genova, Genova, Italy

    G. Ghigliotti

Authors
  1. E. Caltran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Di Colo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Ghigliotti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Capecchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. Catarsi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. I. Puxeddu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. P. Migliorini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. A. Tavoni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Migliorini.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Caltran, E., Di Colo, G., Ghigliotti, G. et al. Two Takayasu arteritis patients successfully treated with rituximab. Clin Rheumatol 33, 1183–1184 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-014-2506-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-014-2506-5

Keywords

  • B lymphocytes
  • Rituximab
  • Takayasu arteritis