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Preventive plasmapheresis for rituximab related flare in cryoglobulinemic vasculitis

Authors :
Léa Fornero
Tarik Kanouni
Jean-Jacques Tudesq
Camille Pochard
Pauline Verot
Wendy Renier
Ludovic Gabellier
Guillaume Cartron
Philippe Guilpain
Charles Herbaux
Source :
Journal of Translational Autoimmunity, Vol 6, Iss , Pp 100194- (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Rituximab monotherapy represents the main therapeutic option for cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) with severe organ involvement. However, initial worsening of the CV, known as rituximab-associated CV flare (=CV flare), has been described and are associated with high mortality rates. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the outcomes of plasmapheresis initiated before or during rituximab treatment, as prevention of CV flare. Methods: We conducted a retrospecttive study in our tertiary referral center from 2001 to 2020. We have included all patients with CV receiving rituximab and divided them in two groups whether they had flare prevention by plasmapheresis or not. We evaluated rituximab-related CV flare incidence in both groups. CV flare was defined as the onset of a new organ involvement or worsening of the initial manifestations within 4 weeks following rituximab. Results: Among the 71 patients included, 44 received rituximab without plasmapheresis (control = CT cohort) and 27 received plasmapheresis before or during rituximab treatment (preventive plasmapheresis = PP cohort). PP was given to patients thought to have a high risk of CV flare, with significantly more severe diseases than patients in the CT cohort. Despite this, no CV flare was observed in the PP group. In the other hand, 5 flares occurred in the CT cohort. Conclusion: Our results show that plasmapheresis is efficient and well tolerated to prevent rituximab-associated CV flare. We believe that our data support the use of plasmapheresis in this indication, especially in patients with high risk of CV flare.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
25899090
Volume :
6
Issue :
100194-
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Translational Autoimmunity
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.41aeb5fb0e2045378da47f72d0d2c0cd
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtauto.2023.100194