Clinical rheumatology
-
Clinical rheumatology · Jul 2019
Multicenter StudyRituximab in connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease.
To evaluate rituximab (RTX) effectiveness and safety in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) related to connective tissue diseases (CTD). ⋯ RTX seems to be a promising treatment for CTD-ILD patients, particularly when NSIP pattern is present. Key points • The use of rituximab in patients with interstitial lung disease related to connective tissue disease is associated with long-standing disease stability in a wide range of systemic rheumatic diseases. • Efficacy results were particularly impressive in patients with non-specific interstitial pneumonia pattern, although in a subgroup of patients with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern, disease progression was also hold with this treatment. • In a large number of patients, rituximab was used in monotherapy and as first-line treatment.