Cyclophosphamide-refractory scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease: remarkable clinical and radiological response to a single course of rituximab combined with high-dose corticosteroids

Ther Adv Respir Dis. 2011 Oct;5(5):299-304. doi: 10.1177/1753465811407786. Epub 2011 May 18.

Abstract

We would like to report our experience of using rituximab in cyclophosphamide refractory, rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) in a patient with limited scleroderma. A 40-year-old man presented with 10-week history of inflammatory polyarthritis, which responded to a short course of oral corticosteroids. However, 3 weeks later, he developed new onset of exertional dyspnoea. High-resolution CT of the thorax was suggestive of early ILD. Surgical lung biopsy showed features of fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia. He was diagnosed with scleroderma on the basis of: presence of anticentromere antibodies, Raynaud's phenomenon, pulmonary fibrosis, digital oedema and hypomotility along with a dilated oesophagus. He was treated aggressively with pulse doses of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide; however, his ILD continued to deteriorate. At this stage, he received rituximab (two pulses of 1 g each), which led to a gradual clinical improvement. Now, 12 months since his rituximab infusion, he walks 2 miles daily without any exertional dyspnoea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Pulse Therapy, Drug
  • Rituximab
  • Scleroderma, Limited / diagnosis
  • Scleroderma, Limited / drug therapy*
  • Scleroderma, Limited / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

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