[Experience with rituximab treatment (monoclonal antibodies to B-lymphocyte CD20 receptors) of Wegener's granulomatosis patients with renal impairment].

AIM: To assess efficacy of rituximab in patients suffering from Wegener's granulematosis (WG) with renal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed clinical laboratory data from 9 WG patients with renal disease treated with rituximab in E.M. Tareev clinic. RESULTS: The treatment led to a complete remission in 7 (77.8%) patients, a partial remission--in 2 (22.2%) patients. Vasculitis activity regressed including renal damage (a decrease of 24 h proteinurea, enhanced glomerular filtration rate). A prednisolone dose decreased from 38.3 to 10 mg/day (to month 6) and to 7.5 mg/day (to month 12). Non-selective cytostatic drugs were discontinued in all the patients. Recurrences occurred in 3 (33.3%) patients, one with lethal outcome after 6 months of rituximab administration, in two cases one more course of rituximab produced another complete remission. Serious side effects were absent. CONCLUSION: Rituximab demonstrated high efficacy in the treatment of WG with renal affection resistant to standard therapy, in multiple side effects of standard immunosuppressive therapy and recurrent course. Rituximab help overcome steroid dependence even at late stages of the disease.