Editorial
Copyright ©2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Rheumatol. Jul 12, 2013; 3(2): 9-11
Published online Jul 12, 2013. doi: 10.5499/wjr.v3.i2.9
B cell depletion in scleroderma lung disease: A promising new treatment?
Dimitrios Daoussis, Andrew P Andonopoulos
Dimitrios Daoussis, Andrew P Andonopoulos, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Patras University Hospital, University of Patras Medical School, 26504 Patras, Greece
Author contributions: Daoussis D and Andonopoulos AP analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Dimitrios Daoussis, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Patras University Hospital, University of Patras Medical School, Rion, 26504 Patras, Greece. jimdaoussis@hotmail.com
Telephone: +30-2613-603693 Fax: +30-2610-993982
Received: March 21, 2013
Revised: April 23, 2013
Accepted: June 1, 2013
Published online: July 12, 2013
Processing time: 90 Days and 17.1 Hours
Abstract

Evidence suggests that B cells may participate in the fibrotic process Based on this experimental evidence, treatment with rituximab (RTX) has been tried in systemic sclerosis (SSc) with promising results. In a randomized controlled study from our research group it was shown that treatment with 2 courses of RTX leads to a significant improvement of lung function at 1 year compared to baseline. All relevant studies have so far reported clinical and/or histologic improvement of skin fibrosis something that adds further evidence in favor of a disease modifying role of RTX in SSc. It is more than obvious that novel therapies for SSc-associated lung disease are needed. A large scale, randomized, controlled study assessing the efficacy of RTX in SSc associated interstitial lung disease is warranted. If RTX turns out to be effective it would be a major therapeutic advance in SSc since it can be administered on a long term basis due to its acceptable safety profile.

Keywords: Rituximab; Scleroderma; Systemic sclerosis; Interstitial lung disease; Treatment

Core tip: Rituximab (RTX) may be an effective treatment for systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). A large scale study assessing the efficacy of RTX in SSc associated ILD is warranted. If RTX turns out to be effective, it would be a major therapeutic advance in SSc since it can be administered on a long term basis due to its acceptable safety profile.