Journal
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH & THERAPY
Volume 18, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
BIOMED CENTRAL LTD
DOI: 10.1186/s13075-016-1152-5
Keywords
Rheumatoid arthritis; Rituximab; CD4+T cells; Biomarker
Categories
Funding
- program (Investissements d'avenir Grant Agreement LabEx MAbImprove) [ANR-10-LABX-53]
- LE STUDIUM Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies
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Background: Significant peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell depletion has been observed after a first cycle of rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen, which is currently used in rheumatoid arthritis. Of note, an absence of CD4+ T-cell decrease has been observed in non-responders. Herein, we describe CD4+ T-cell changes over repeated cycles of rituximab and their relationship with clinical outcomes. Methods: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who started rituximab between July 2007 and July 2013 were analyzed up to November 2014. Lymphocyte phenotyping and clinical assessments were performed before, and 3 and 6 months after each cycle. Lymphocytes counts and disease activity were compared at each time point, using nonparametric tests. Results: Patients received up to seven cycles of treatment during the study period. Mean CD4+ T-cell counts were above the upper limit of the reference range before each rituximab infusion and repeatedly reached the reference range at 6 months (and/or 3 months) post infusion. CD4+ T cells decreased concurrently with disease activity score. Conclusions: CD4+ T-cell counts could be a relevant biomarker of response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis and could be considered in making decisions about the timing of retreatment.
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