The 4 plus 2 rituximab protocol makes maintenance treatment unneeded in patients with refractory ANCA-associated vasculitis: A 10 years observation study

摘要

BackgroundANCA associated vasculitides (AAV) often present with a chronic relapsing course. Relapse leads to increased immunosuppressive exposure and consequent toxicity. While two randomized controlled trials have shown rituximab (RTX) to be the most effective induction treatment in patients with relapsing disease, the optimal treatment duration and RTX dose remain debated. Whether to administer a maintenance dose to every patient, at a fixed time interval or on the basis of B cell count and ANCA titre or only when disease manifestations do occur is still debated as well.