Can we use rituximab to prevent the return of ANCA vasculitis | Arthritis Research UK

[John_Mills]

arthritisresearchuk.org/res...

[hampster]

This is almost exactly what we asked my husband's consultant a few weeks ago as his PR3 ANCA count is 45 IU/ml and we have been told to be vigilant to the possibility of a reoccurance of WG. He has told us he will use Rituximab but not now/yet. My husband was diagnosed with WG in April 2010

[Griff53]

I was diagnosed with WG in Nov 2008.. Suffered relapse May 2009, Was then treated with Rituximab and Methotrexate ,, This lasted till September 2010 when I had a major relapse, once again received Rituximab but was put on Azathioprine .. All was going well until October 2011 when I suffered another relapse !!!! Had Rituximab for a third time and still on Azathioprine.. To answer your question, in my case it has not stopped WG recurring but it does seem to last 12months....

[John_Mills Volunteer in reply to Griff53]

Rona Smith working under David Jayne at Addenbrookes is currently working on a research project using Alemtuzumab as an alternative to RTX in the expectation that it will produce longer periods of remission than RTX. Vasculitis-uk is partly funding this project.

[Geoff]

I was treated with Alemtuzumab (Campath) by Rona Smith at Addenbrookes last summer, followed by another infussion in November. The protocol is usually for 3 infussions but sadly I am flaring now and will be going in this week for RTX. I am very dissapointed that Campath didnt work for me as Dr Jayne told me that they expect 75% of patients to experience a drug free remission. I was DX in 2008 and have had MMF, Azathiaprine and now Campath with no lasting remission. I have never been off steroids and feel that RTX has to work for me.

[Zebra]

Hi Geoff,

I'm not sure what sort of Vasculitis you have. I have Behcet's and am also under Dr Jayne's team at Addenbrooke's and flaring aggressively. I've just had my 2nd lot of Alemtuzumab (Campath) this last week (a 2 day course of 30mg each day in October and then same again last week as October's didn't work for me). I hope that Rituximab works for you. I know Clinic are trying it with a lot of patients now. Will this be your first dose of it? All the best.

Z

[Geoff]

Hi Zebra,

Thank you for your well wishes and I hope that Campath works for you. I have Wegeners and know a few other 'Weggies' who have had RTX with some success. Going in this wednesday and cant wait to get an armfull!!

[Jann]

Hi, Mine is really a question I believed and I do not know why that rituximab was less toxic than current treatments for maintaining disease control however this is one of the objectives of this reseach does that mean it is not get proven?