Preliminary analysis of mortality associated with rituximab use in autoimmune diseases

References

• Edwards, J. C., M. J. Leandro, and G. Cambridge. 2002. B-lymphocyte depletion therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Biochem. Soc. Trans. 30: 824–828
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Maloney, D. G., B. Smith, and A. Rose. 2002. Rituximab: mechanism of action and resistance. Semin. Oncol. 29: 2–9
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Weiner, G. J. 2010. Rituximab: mechanism of action. Semin. Hematol. 47: 115–123
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leget, G. A., and M. S. Czuczman. 1998. Use of rituximab, the new FDA-approved antibody. Curr. Opin. Oncol. 10: 548–551
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Smolen, J. S., E. C. Keystone, P. Emery, et al.; Working Group on the Rituximab Consensus Statement. 2007. Consensus statement on the use of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 66: 143–150
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Looney, R. J. 2005. B cells as a therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 44: ii13–ii17
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pers, J. O., C. Daridon, B. Bendaoud, et al. 2008. B-cell depletion and repopulation in autoimmune diseases. Clin. Rev. Allergy Immunol. 34: 50–55
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kazkaz, H., and D. Isenberg. 2004. Anti B cell therapy (rituximab) in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 4: 398–402
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dörner, T., D. Isenberg, D. Jayne, et al.; International Roundtable on B cells as Therapeutic Target for Intervention. 2009. Current status on B-cell depletion therapy in autoimmune diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmun. Rev. 9: 82–89
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Liu, G., K. A. Muili, V. V. Agashe, and J. A. Lyons. 2012. Unique B cell responses in B cell-dependent and B cell-independent EAE. Autoimmunity. 45: 199–209
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Salinas, G. F., F. Braza, S. Brouard, et al. 2013. The role of B lymphocytes in the progression from autoimmunity to autoimmune disease. Clin. Immunol. 146: 34–45
   Google Scholar
• von Boehmer, H., and F. Melchers. 2010. Checkpoints in lymphocyte development and autoimmune disease. Nat. Immunol. 11: 14–20
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Isenberg, D. A. 2006. B cell targeted therapies in autoimmune diseases. J. Rheumatol. Suppl. 77: 24–28
   Google Scholar
• Mease, P. J. 2008. B cell-targeted therapy in autoimmune disease: rationale, mechanisms, and clinical application. J. Rheumatol. 35: 1245–1255
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Eisenberg, R., and R. J. Looney. 2005. The therapeutic potential of anti-CD20 “what do B-cells do?”. Clin. Immunol. 117: 207–213
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gorman, C., M. Leandro, and D. Isenberg. 2003. B cell depletion in autoimmune disease. Arthritis Res. Ther. 5: S17–S21
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Vital, E. M., A. C. Rawstron, S. Dass, et al. 2011. Reduced-dose rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis: efficacy depends on degree of B cell depletion. Arthritis Rheum. 63: 603–608
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dass, S., A. C. Rawstron, E. M. Vital, et al. 2008. Highly sensitive B cell analysis predicts response to rituximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 58: 2993–2999
   Google Scholar
• Besada, E., and J. C. Nossent. 2013. Infection risks during longterm rituximab therapy change over time. J. Rheumatol. 40: 203
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brinkman, I. H., M. A. van de Laar, T. L. Jansen, and E. N. van Roon. 2011. The potential risk of infections during (prolonged) rituximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Expert Opin. Drug Saf. 10: 715–726
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Morrison, L. H. 2004. Therapy of refractory pemphigus vulgaris with monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab). J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 51: 817–819
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tournadre, A., S. Amarger, P. Joly, et al. 2008. Polymyositis and pemphigus vulgaris in a patient: successful treatment with rituximab. Joint Bone Spine. 75: 728–729
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Joly, P., H. Mouquet, J. C. Roujeau, et al. 2007. A single cycle of rituximab for the treatment of severe pemphigus. N. Engl. J. Med. 357: 545–552
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kim, J. H., Y. H. Kim, M. R. Kim, and S. C. Kim. 2011. Clinical efficacy of different doses of rituximab in the treatment of pemphigus: a retrospective study of 27 patients. Br. J. Dermatol. 165: 646–651
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kanwar, A. J., D. Tsuruta, K. Vinay, et al. 2013. Efficacy and safety of rituximab treatment in Indian pemphigus patients. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 27: e17–e23
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lunardon, L., K. J. Tsai, K. J. Propert, et al. 2012. Adjuvant rituximab therapy of pemphigus: a single-center experience with 31 patients. Arch. Dermatol. 148: 1031–1036
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Colliou, N., D. Picard, F. Caillot, et al. 2013. Long-term remissions of severe pemphigus after rituximab therapy are associated with prolonged failure of desmoglein B cell response. Sci. Transl. Med. 5: 175ra30
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lourari, S., C. Herve, V. Doffoel-Hantz, et al. 2011. Bullous and mucous membrane pemphigoid show a mixed response to rituximab: experience in seven patients. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 25: 1238–1240
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Szabolcs, P., M. Reese, K. B. Yancey, et al. 2002. Combination treatment of bullous pemphigoid with anti-CD20 and anti-CD25 antibodies in a patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease. Bone Marrow Transplant. 30: 327–329
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schmidt, E., C. S. Seitz, S. Benoit, et al. 2007. Rituximab in autoimmune bullous diseases: mixed responses and adverse effects. Br. J. Dermatol. 156: 352–356
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mercader, P., J. M. Rodenas, A. Peña, and J. M. Mascaro Jr.2007. Fatal Pseudomona pneumonia following rituximab therapy in a patient with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. 21: 1141–1142
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Le Roux-Villet, C., C. Prost-Squarcioni, M. Alexandre, et al. 2011. Rituximab for patients with refractory mucous membrane pemphigoid. Arch. Dermatol. 147: 843–849
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gürcan, H. M., D. B. Keskin, J. N. Stern, et al. 2009. A review of the current use of rituximab in autoimmune diseases. Int. Immunopharmacol. 9: 10–25
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Choi, S. I., and E. Brahn. 2010. Rheumatoid arthritis therapy: advances from bench to bedside. Autoimmunity. 43: 478–492
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sanders, D. B., and A. Evoli. 2010. Immunosuppressive therapies in myasthenia gravis. Autoimmunity. 43: 428–435
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Szilasi, M., J. Mátyus, I. File, et al. 2012. Association of ANCA-associated vasculitis-rheumatoid arthritis overlap syndrome in four patients: rituximab may be the right choice? Autoimmunity. 45: 304–309
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ghanima, W., B. Godeau, D. B. Cines, and J. B. Bussel. 2012. How I treat immune thrombocytopenia: the choice between splenectomy or a medical therapy as a second-line treatment. Blood. 120: 960–969
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schmidt, E., E. B. Bröcker, and M. Goebeler. 2008. Rituximab in treatment-resistant autoimmune blistering skin disorders. Clin. Rev. Allergy Immunol. 34: 56–64
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Drugs Information Online. Rituxin. Available from: http://www.drugs.com/pro/rituxan.html. Revised May 2013. Accessed on September 25, 2013
   Google Scholar
• Furst, D. E., E. C. Keystone, J. Braun, et al. 2012. Updated consensus statement on biological agents for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, 2011. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 71: i2–45
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rubbert-Roth, A. 2012. Assessing the safety of biologic agents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 51: v38–v47
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Guerry, M. J., P. Brogan, I. N. Bruce, et al. 2012. Recommendations for the use of rituximab in anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 51: 634–643
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tavazzi, E., P. Ferrante, and K. Khalili. 2011. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: an unexpected complication of modern therapeutic monoclonal antibody therapies. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 17: 1776–1780
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Martin-Garrido I, Carmona EM, Specks U, and Limper AH. Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients treated with rituximab. Chest. 144: 258--265
   Google Scholar
• Shetty, S., and A. R. Ahmed. 2013. Critical analysis of the use of rituximab in mucous membrane pemphigoid: a review of the literature. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 68: 499–506
   Google Scholar
• Shetty, S., and A. R. Ahmed. 2013. Treatment of bullous pemphigoid with rituximab: Critical analysis of the current literature. J. Drugs Dermatol. 12: 672–677
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zakka, L. R., S. S. Shetty, and A. R. Ahmed. 2012. Rituximab in the Treatment of Pemphigus Vulgaris. Dermatol. Ther. (Heidelb). 2: 17
   Google Scholar
• Schmaldienst, S., and W. H. Horl. 1996. Bacterial infections during immunosuppression--immunosuppressive agents interfere not only with immune response, but also with polymorphonuclear cell function. Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. 11: 1243–1245
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cooper, N., and D. M. Arnold. 2010. The effect of rituximab on humoral and cell mediated immunity and infection in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Br. J. Haematol. 149: 3–13
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Popa, C., M. J. Leandro, G. Cambridge, and J. C. Edwards. 2007. Repeated B lymphocyte depletion with rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis over 7 yrs. Rheumatology (Oxford). 46: 626–630
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Caporali, R., M. Caprioli, F. Bobbio-Pallavicini, et al. 2009. Long term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with rituximab. Autoimmun. Rev. 8: 591–594
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mihai, S., and C. Sitaru. 2007. Immunopathology and molecular diagnosis of autoimmune bullous diseases. J. Cell. Mol. Med. 11: 462–481
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Scott, J. E., and A. R. Ahmed. 1998. The blistering diseases. Med. Clin. North Am. 82: 1239–1283
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Edwards, J. C., L. Szczepanski, J. Szechinski, et al. 2004. Efficacy of B-cell-targeted therapy with rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. N. Engl. J. Med. 350: 2572–2581
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Emery, P., R. Fleischmann, A. Filipowicz-Sosnowska, et al.; DANCER Study Group. 2006. The efficacy and safety of rituximab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate treatment: results of a phase IIB randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trial. Arthritis Rheum. 54: 1390–1400
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cohen, S. B., P. Emery, M. W. Greenwald, et al.; REFLEX Trial Group. 2006. Rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis refractory to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy: results of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial evaluating primary efficacy and safety at twenty-four weeks. Arthritis Rheum. 54: 2793–2806
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mease, P. J., S. Cohen, N. B. Gaylis, et al. 2010. Efficacy and safety of retreatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with previous inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: results from the SUNRISE trial. J. Rheumatol. 37: 917–927
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Emery, P., A. Deodhar, W. F. Rigby, et al. 2010. Efficacy and safety of different doses and retreatment of rituximab: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial in patients who are biological naive with active rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to methotrexate (Study Evaluating Rituximab's Efficacy in MTX iNadequate rEsponders (SERENE)). Ann. Rheum. Dis. 69: 1629–1635
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Keystone, E., R. Fleischmann, P. Emery, et al. 2007. Safety and efficacy of additional courses of rituximab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: an open-label extension analysis. Arthritis Rheum. 56: 3896–3908
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bang, S. Y., C. K. Lee, Y. M. Kang, et al. 2012. Multicenter retrospective analysis of the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in korean patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmune Dis. 2012: 565039
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Tzaribachev, N., I. Koetter, J. B. Kuemmerle-Deschner, and J. Schedel. 2009. Rituximab for the treatment of refractory pediatric autoimmune diseases: a case series. Cases J. 2: 6609
   Google Scholar
• Díaz-Lagares, C., S. Croca, S. Sangle, et al.; UK-BIOGEAS Registry. 2012. Efficacy of rituximab in 164 patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis: pooled data from European cohorts. Autoimmun. Rev. 11: 357–364
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Vigna-Perez, M., B. Hernández-Castro, O. Paredes-Saharopulos, et al. 2006. Clinical and immunological effects of Rituximab in patients with lupus nephritis refractory to conventional therapy: a pilot study. Arthritis Res. Ther. 8: R83
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Catapano, F., A. N. Chaudhry, R. B. Jones, et al. 2010. Long-term efficacy and safety of rituximab in refractory and relapsing systemic lupus erythematosus. Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. 25: 3586–3592
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Terrier, B., Z. Amoura, P. Ravaud, et al.; Club Rhumatismes et Inflammation. 2010. Safety and efficacy of rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus: results from 136 patients from the French AutoImmunity and Rituximab registry. Arthritis Rheum. 62: 2458–2466
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Merrill, J. T., C. M. Neuwelt, D. J. Wallace, et al. 2010. Efficacy and safety of rituximab in moderately-to-severely active systemic lupus erythematosus: the randomized, double-blind, phase II/III systemic lupus erythematosus evaluation of rituximab trial. Arthritis Rheum. 62: 222–233
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rovin, B. H., R. Furie, K. Latinis, et al.; LUNAR Investigator Group. 2012. Efficacy and safety of rituximab in patients with active proliferative lupus nephritis: the Lupus Nephritis Assessment with Rituximab study. Arthritis Rheum. 64: 1215–1226
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lindholm, C., K. Börjesson-Asp, K. Zendjanchi, et al. 2008. Longterm clinical and immunological effects of anti-CD20 treatment in patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus. J. Rheumatol. 35: 826–833
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Calderón Saldierna, R. E., M. A. Ramos Sánchez, Y. Mejía Holguín, et al. 2010. Treatment with rituximab for thrombocytopenia due to systemic lupus erythematosus. Reumatol. Clin. 6: 82–85
   Google Scholar
• Cartin-Ceba, R., J. M. Golbin, K. A. Keogh, et al. 2012. Rituximab for remission induction and maintenance in refractory granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's): ten-year experience at a single center. Arthritis Rheum. 64: 3770–3778
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stone, J. H., P. A. Merkel, R. Spiera, et al.; RAVE-ITN Research Group. 2010. Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide for ANCA-associated vasculitis. N. Engl. J. Med. 363: 221–232
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wendt, M., I. Gunnarsson, J. Bratt, and A. Bruchfeld. 2012. Rituximab in relapsing or refractory ANCA-associated vasculitis: a case series of 16 patients. Scand. J. Rheumatol. 41: 116–119
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Roll, P., E. Ostermeier, M. Haubitz, et al. 2012. Efficacy and safety of rituximab treatment in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides: results from a German registry (GRAID). J. Rheumatol. 39: 2153–2156
   Google Scholar
• Jones, R. B., J. W. Tervaert, T. Hauser, et al.; European Vasculitis Study Group. 2010. Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide in ANCA-associated renal vasculitis. N. Engl. J. Med. 363: 211–220
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jones, R. B., A. J. Ferraro, A. N. Chaudhry, et al. 2009. A multicenter survey of rituximab therapy for refractory antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. Arthritis Rheum. 60: 2156–2168
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Puéchal, X., J. E. Gottenberg, J. M. Berthelot, et al.; Investigators of the AutoImmunity Rituximab Registry. 2012. Rituximab therapy for systemic vasculitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the AutoImmunity and Rituximab Registry. Arthritis Care Res. (Hoboken). 64: 331–339
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Terrier, B., D. Launay, G. Kaplanski, et al. 2010. Safety and efficacy of rituximab in nonviral cryoglobulinemia vasculitis: data from the French Autoimmunity and Rituximab registry. Arthritis Care Res. (Hoboken). 62: 1787–1795
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Basse, G., D. Ribes, N. Kamar, et al. 2006. Rituximab therapy for mixed cryoglobulinemia in seven renal transplant patients. Transplant. Proc. 38: 2308–2310
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Visentini, M., M. Granata, M. L. Veneziano, et al. 2007. Efficacy of low-dose rituximab for mixed cryoglobulinemia. Clin. Immunol. 125: 30–33
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Visentini, M., S. Ludovisi, A. Petrarca, et al. 2011. A phase II, single-arm multicenter study of low-dose rituximab for refractory mixed cryoglobulinemia secondary to hepatitis C virus infection. Autoimmun. Rev. 10: 714-719
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ruch, J., B. McMahon, G. Ramsey, and H. C. Kwaan. 2009. Catastrophic multiple organ ischemia due to an anti-Pr cold agglutinin developing in a patient with mixed cryoglobulinemia after treatment with rituximab. Am. J. Hematol. 84: 120–122
   Google Scholar
• Zaja, F., S. De Vita, C. Mazzaro, et al. 2003. Efficacy and safety of rituximab in type II mixed cryoglobulinemia. Blood. 101: 3827–3834
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zaja, F., A. Bacigalupo, F. Patriarca, et al.; GITMO (Gruppo Italiano Trapianto Midollo Osseo). 2007. Treatment of refractory chronic GVHD with rituximab: a GITMO study. Bone Marrow Transplant. 40: 273–277
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Arnold, D. M., F. Dentali, M. A. Crowther, et al. 2007. Systematic review: efficacy and safety of rituximab for adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Ann. Intern. Med. 146: 25–33
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Arnold, D. M., F. Dentali, M. A. Crowther, et al. 2011. Safety and clinical outcomes of rituximab therapy in patients with different autoimmune diseases: experience from a national registry (GRAID). Arthritis Res. Ther. 13: R75
   Google Scholar
• Ruggenenti, P., P. Cravedi, A. Chianca, et al. 2012. Rituximab in idiopathic membranous nephropathy. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 23: 1416–1425
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chaumais, M. C., A. Garnier, F. Chalard, et al. 2009. Fatal pulmonary fibrosis after rituximab administration. Pediatr. Nephrol. 24: 1753–1755
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Carson, K. R., A. M. Evens, E. A. Richey, et al. 2009. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after rituximab therapy in HIV-negative patients: a report of 57 cases from the Research on Adverse Drug Events and Reports project. Blood. 113: 4834–4840
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tesfa, D., S. Ajeganova, and H. Hägglund. 2011. Late-onset neutropenia following rituximab therapy in rheumatic diseases: association with B lymphocyte depletion and infections. Arthritis Rheum. 63: 2209–2214
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Besada, E., and J. C. Nossent. 2013. Infection risks during longterm rituximab therapy change over time. J. Rheumatol. 40: 203
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Thiel J., U. Salzer, F. Hässler, et al. 2013. B cell homeostasis is disturbed by immunosuppressive therapies in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides. Autoimmunity. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.3109/08916934.2013.798652
   Google Scholar
• Selin, L. K., M. F. Wlodarczyk, A. R. Kraft, et al. 2011. Heterologous immunity: immunopathology, autoimmunity and protection during viral infections. Autoimmunity. 44: 328–347
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kelesidis, T., G. Daikos, D. Boumpas, and S. Tsiodras. 2011. Does rituximab increase the incidence of infectious complications? A narrative review. Int. J. Infect. Dis. 15: e2–16
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stroopinsky, D., T. Katz, J. M. Rowe, et al. 2012. Rituximab-induced direct inhibition of T-cell activation. Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 61: 1233–1241
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• van de Veerdonk, F. L., B. Lauwerys, R. J. Marijnissen, et al. 2011. The anti-CD20 antibody rituximab reduces the Th17 cell response. Arthritis Rheum. 63: 1507–1516
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Li, X., J. Braun, and B. Wei. (2011). Regulatory B cells in autoimmune diseases and mucosal immune homeostasis. Autoimmunity. 44: 58–68
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kamburova, E. G., H. J. Koenen, K. J. Borgman, et al. 2013. A single dose of rituximab does not deplete B cells in secondary lymphoid organs but alters phenotype and function. Am. J. Transplant. 13: 1503–1511
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mariño, E., and S. T. Grey. (2012). B cells as effectors and regulators of autoimmunity. Autoimmunity. 45: 377–387
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ettinger, R., S. Kuchen, and P. E. Lipsky. 2008. The role of IL-21 in regulating B-cell function in health and disease. Immunol. Rev. 223: 60–86
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cerutti, A., I. Puga, and M. Cols. 2012. New helping friends for B cells. Eur. J. Immunol. 42: 1956--1968
   Google Scholar
• Schett, G. (2008). Review: immune cells and mediators of inflammatory arthritis. Autoimmunity. 41: 224–229
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Casulo, C., J. Maragulia, and A. D. Zelenetz. 2013. Incidence of hypogammaglobulinemia in patients receiving rituximab and the use of intravenous immunoglobulin for recurrent infections. Clin. Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 13: 106–111
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Boumans, M. J., R. M. Thurlings, D. M. Gerlag, et al. 2011. Response to rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in different compartments of the immune system. Arthritis Rheum. 63: 3187–3194
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Corcione, A., and V. Pistoia. 1997. B-cell-derived granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Methods. 11: 143–147
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wolach, O., O. Shpilberg, and M. Lahav. 2012. Neutropenia after rituximab treatment: new insights on a late complication. Curr. Opin. Hematol. 19: 32–38
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tesfa, D., and J. Palmblad. 2011. Late-onset neutropenia following rituximab therapy: incidence, clinical features and possible mechanisms. Expert Rev. Hematol. 4: 619–625
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Besada, E., W. Koldingsnes, and J. Nossent. 2012. Characteristics of late onset neutropenia in rheumatologic patients treated with rituximab: a case review analysis from a single center. QJM. 105: 545–550
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Terrier, B., M. Ittah, L. Tourneur, et al. 2007. Late-onset neutropenia following rituximab results from a hematopoietic lineage competition due to an excessive BAFF-induced B-cell recovery. Haematologica. 92: e20–23
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Puga, I., M. Cols, C. M. Barra, et al. 2011. B cell-helper neutrophils stimulate the diversification and production of immunoglobulin in the marginal zone of the spleen. Nat. Immunol. 13: 170–180
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Teng, Y. K., E. W. Levarht, M. Hashemi, et al. 2007. Immunohistochemical analysis as a means to predict responsiveness to rituximab treatment. Arthritis Rheum. 56: 3909–3918
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Thurlings, R. M., K. Vos, C. A. Wijbrandts, et al. 2008. Synovial tissue response to rituximab: mechanism of action and identification of biomarkers of response. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 67: 917–925
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cassese, G., S. Arce, A. E. Hauser, et al. 2003. Plasma cell survival is mediated by synergistic effects of cytokines and adhesion-dependent signals. J. Immunol. 171: 1684–1690
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Minges Wols, H. A., G. H. Underhill, G. S. Kansas, and P. L. Witte. 2002. The role of bone marrow-derived stromal cells in the maintenance of plasma cell longevity. J. Immunol. 169: 4213–4221
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tavazzi, E., P. Ferrante, and K. Khalili. 2011. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: an unexpected complication of modern therapeutic monoclonal antibody therapies. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 17: 1776–1780
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Buch, M. H., J. S. Smolen, N. Betteridge, et al.; Rituximab Consensus Expert Committee. 2011. Updated consensus statement on the use of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 70: 909–920
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ahmed, A. R., Z. Spigelman, L. A. Cavacini, and M. R. Posner. 2006. Treatment of pemphigus vulgaris with rituximab and intravenous immune globulin. N. Engl. J. Med. 355: 1772–1779
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ram, R., I. Ben-Bassat, O. Shpilberg, et al. 2009. The late adverse events of rituximab therapy – rare but there! Leuk. Lymphoma. 50: 1083–1095
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rios-Fernández, R., M. T. Gutierrez-Salmerón, J. L. Callejas-Rubio, et al. 2007. Late-onset neutropenia following rituximab treatment in patients with autoimmune diseases. Br. J. Dermatol. 157: 1271–1273
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Giezen, T. J., A. K. Mantel-Teeuwisse, M. J. ten Berg, et al. 2012. Rituximab-induced thrombocytopenia: a cohort study. Eur. J. Haematol. 89: 256–266
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dhand, S., and H. Bahrain. 2008. Rituximab-induced severe acute thrombocytopenia: a case report and review of literature. Cancer Invest. 26: 913–915
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Vial, T., and J. Descotes. 2003. Immunosuppressive drugs and cancer. Toxicology. 185: 229–240
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mabrouk, D., H. M. Gürcan, D. B. Keskin, et al. 2010. Association between cancer and immunosuppressive therapy – analysis of selected studies in pemphigus and pemphigoid. Ann. Pharmacother. 44: 1770–1776
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lands, L. C. 2010. New therapies, new concerns: rituximab-associated lung injury. Pediatr. Nephrol. 25: 1001–1003
   Google Scholar
• Wagner, S. A., A. C. Mehta, and D. A. Laber. 2007. Rituximab-induced interstitial lung disease. Am. J. Hematol. 82: 916–919
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Garypidou, V., V. Perifanis, K. Tziomalos, and S. Theodoridou. 2004. Cardiac toxicity during rituximab administration. Leuk. Lymphoma. 45: 203–204
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Armitage, J. D., C. Montero, A. Benner, et al. 2008. Acute coronary syndromes complicating the first infusion of rituximab. Clin. Lymphoma Myeloma. 8: 253–255
   Google Scholar
• Farag N., L. Mahran, K. Abou-Aisha, and M. El-Azizi. 2013. Assessment of the efficacy of polyclonal intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) against the infectivity of clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro and in vivo. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1007/s10096-013-1861-5
   Google Scholar
• Růžek, D., G. Dobler, and H. H. Niller. 2013. May early intervention with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin pose a potentially successful treatment for severe cases of tick-borne encephalitis? BMC Infect. Dis. 13: 306
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pikman, R., and R. Ben-Ami. 2012. Immune modulators as adjuncts for the prevention and treatment of invasive fungal infections. Immunotherapy. 4: 1869–1882
   Google Scholar
• Krampe, K., A. Briem-Richter, L. Fischer, et al. 2010. The value of immunoprophylaxis for cytomegalovirus infection with intravenous immunoglobulin in pediatric liver transplant recipients receiving a low-dose immunosupressive regimen. Pediatr. Transplant. 14: 67–71
   Google Scholar
• Kumar, D., S. Gourishankar, T. Mueller, et al. 2009. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia after rituximab therapy for antibody-mediated rejection in a renal transplant recipient. Transpl. Infect. Dis. 11: 167–170
   Google Scholar
• Kamel, S., S. O'Connor, N. Lee, et al. 2010. High incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients receiving biweekly rituximab and cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone. Leuk. Lymphoma. 51: 797–801
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Huang, Y. C., C. J. Liu, C. Y. Liu, et al. 2011. Low absolute lymphocyte count and addition of rituximab confer high risk for interstitial pneumonia in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Ann. Hematol. 90: 1145–1151
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Haeusler, G. M., M. A. Slavin, J. F. Seymour, et al. 2013. Late-onset Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia post-fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab: implications for prophylaxis. Eur. J. Haematol. 91: 157–163
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Besada E., and J. C. Nossent Should Pneumocystis jiroveci prophylaxis be recommended with Rituximab treatment in ANCA-associated vasculitis? Clin. Rheumatol. 2013. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1007/s10067-013-2293-4
   Google Scholar
• Teichmann, L. L., M. Woenckhaus, C. Vogel, et al. 2008. Fatal Pneumocystis pneumonia following rituximab administration for rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 47: 1256–1257
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• van Vollenhoven R. F., P. Emery, C. O. Bingham, 3rd, et al. 2012. Long-term safety of rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis: 9.5-year follow-up of the global clinical trial programme with a focus on adverse events of interest in RA patients. Ann. Rheum. Dis. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-201956
   Google Scholar