B-cell imaging with zirconium-89 labelled rituximab PET-CT at baseline is associated with therapeutic response 24 weeks after initiation of rituximab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients

摘要

BackgroundB cells are key players in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although successful in 50–60% of patients with RA, anti-B-cell therapy given as rituximab could be more efficient by identifying potential responders prior to treatment. Positron emission tomography (PET) using radiolabeled rituximab for B-cell imaging might provide the means to fulfil this unmet clinical need. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between biodistribution of zirconium-89 (⁸⁹Zr)-rituximab on PET-computed tomography (CT) and clinical response in patients with RA.