Successful treatment of cardiac involvement in dermatomyositis with rituximab

Joint Bone Spine. 2008 May;75(3):334-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2007.05.011. Epub 2007 Aug 31.

Abstract

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are autoimmune inflammatory myopathies characterized by muscle weakness and inflammation. Current recommended therapy includes corticosteroids as mainstay treatment in addition to immunosuppressant. We present herein a 25year-old female with dermatomyositis and cardiac involvement resistant to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha. She was treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab. The patient demonstrated a remarkable clinical and laboratory response. B-cell depletion therapy with rituximab may be a viable option in patients with dermatomyositis and heart disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Dermatomyositis / complications*
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Heart Diseases / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab