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NDT Advance Access published online on October 19, 2004
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, doi:10.1093/ndt/gfh469
© 2004 by European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association
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Received June 8, 2004
Accepted July 21, 2004

Original Articles

Long-term effects of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment of cryoglobulinaemic glomerulonephritis

Dario Roccatello 1*, Simone Baldovino 2, Daniela Rossi 3, Morteza Mansouri 2, Carla Naretto 2, Mariella Gennaro 2, Roberto Cavallo 4, Mirella Alpa 4, Piera Costanzo 4, Osvaldo Giachino 4, Gianna Mazzucco 5, and Luigi Massimino Sena 2

1 Centro Multidisciplinare di Ricerche di Immunopatologia e Documentazione su Malattie Rare, Struttura Complessa a Direzione Universitaria di Immunologia Clinica (CMID), Ospedale S.G. Bosco, Italy; Unità Operativa di Nefrologia e Immunopatologia, Ospedale Evangelico Valdese, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina ed Oncologia Sperimentale, Università di Torino, Italy
2 Centro Multidisciplinare di Ricerche di Immunopatologia e Documentazione su Malattie Rare, Struttura Complessa a Direzione Universitaria di Immunologia Clinica (CMID), Ospedale S.G. Bosco, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina ed Oncologia Sperimentale, Università di Torino, Italy
3 Centro Multidisciplinare di Ricerche di Immunopatologia e Documentazione su Malattie Rare, Struttura Complessa a Direzione Universitaria di Immunologia Clinica (CMID), Ospedale S.G. Bosco, Italy; Unità Operativa di Nefrologia e Immunopatologia, Ospedale Evangelico Valdese, Italy
4 Centro Multidisciplinare di Ricerche di Immunopatologia e Documentazione su Malattie Rare, Struttura Complessa a Direzione Universitaria di Immunologia Clinica (CMID), Ospedale S.G. Bosco, Italy
5 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Dario Roccatello, E-mail: dario.roccatello{at}unito.it



  Abstract

Background. Type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) is a systemic vasculitis, associated in most cases with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and sustained by proliferation of oligoclonal cells. Systemic B-cell depletion and clinical remission can be achieved in non-Hodgkin lymphoma by a human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with the CD20 antigen (Rituximab). Similar effects could be expected in type II MC.

Methods. Six patients, mean age 64.2 years (range: 37-76 years), with HCV infection genotype 2a2c (three cases) or 1b (three cases) and symptomatic type-II MC with systemic manifestations, including renal involvement (five cases) and bone marrow clonal restriction (three cases), were considered eligible for Rituximab therapy. Rituximab was administered intravenously at a dose of 375 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15 and 22. Two more doses were administered 1 and 2 months later. No other immunosuppressive drugs were added. Response was evaluated by assessing the changes in clinical signs, symptoms and laboratory parameters for ≤18 months.

Results. Levels of proteinuria, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and cryocrit significantly decreased at 2, 6 and 12 months. Rheumatoid factor and IgM significantly decreased at 6 months whereas C4 values significantly increased at 2 and 6 months. HCV viral load and immunoglobulin G remained stable. Bone marrow abnormalities were found to reverse to normal in all three positive cases. Constitutional symptoms (skin ulcers, purpura, arthralgia, weakness, paraesthesia and fever) disappeared or improved. No acute or delayed side effects were observed.

Conclusions. Rituximab appears to be a safe and effective therapeutic option in symptomatic patients with HCV-associated MC glomerulonephritis and signs of systemic vasculitis.

Keywords: anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; glomerulonephritis; Rituximab; type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia.
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