Rituximab-related late-onset neutropenia in patients with rheumatic diseases: successful re-challenge of the treatment

ALSUntangled #67: rituximab

ALSUntangled reviews alternative and off-label treatments on behalf of people with ALS who ask about them. Here we review rituximab, a drug which specifically depletes B lymphocytes. We show a current lack of evidence for a role of these cells in ALS progression. The one patient we found who described using Rituximab for their ALS found no benefit. Given all this, and the known serious risks of rituximab, we advise against its use as an ALS treatment.

Hypogammaglobulinemia, late-onset neutropenia, and infections following rituximab

Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that targets CD20-expressing B lymphocytes, has a well-defined efficacy and safety profile, and is broadly used to treat a wide array of diseases. In this review, we cover the mechanism of action of rituximab and focus on hypogammaglobulinemia and late-onset neutropenia-2 immune effects secondary to rituximab-and subsequent infection. We review risk factors and highlight key considerations for immunologic monitoring and clinical management of rituximab-induced secondary immune deficiencies. In patients treated with rituximab, monitoring for hypogammaglobulinemia and infections may help to identify the subset of patients at high risk for developing poor B cell reconstitution, subsequent infections, and adverse complications. These patients may benefit from early interventions such as vaccination, antibacterial prophylaxis, and immunoglobulin replacement therapy. Systematic evaluation of immunoglobulin levels and peripheral B cell counts by flow cytometry, both at baseline and periodically after therapy, is recommended for monitoring. In addition, in those patients with prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia and increased infections after rituximab use, immunologic evaluation for inborn errors of immunity may be warranted to further risk stratification, increase monitoring, and assist in therapeutic decision-making. As the immunologic effects of rituximab are further elucidated, personalized approaches to minimize the risk of adverse reactions while maximizing benefit will allow for improved care of patients with decreased morbidity and mortality.

Hematologic side effects of biologics and kinase inhibitors used in rheumatologic diseases: a review of the current evidence

Treatment options for various rheumatologic diseases have been limited until the introduction of biologic agents and kinase inhibitor therapy in recent decades. Since their arrival, they have steadily been integrated into routine management. Given their wide use and overall successful outcomes, it becomes increasingly pertinent for clinicians to readily identify their side effects. Their effects can involve multiple organ systems, including hematologic. This review aims to identify and classify the range of hematologic effects associated with individual biologics and kinase inhibitors used for treatment of rheumatologic diseases.

Preventing infectious complications when treating non-malignant immune-mediated hematologic disorders

Immunosuppressants, targeted antibody therapies, and surgical splenectomy are amongst the treatment choices for immune-mediated non-malignant hematologic disorders, with infection being the most common non-hematological adverse event from these therapies. Corticosteroids are associated with a length-of-treatment and dose-dependent risk for infection, including opportunistic infections. Screening and antimicrobial prophylaxis against tuberculosis, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, are indicated in selected patients on steroids and with certain risk factors for infection. Rituximab is associated with hepatitis B virus reactivation. All patients planned to be started on rituximab should be screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and total core antibody, with antiviral prophylaxis given depending on test results. In eculizumab treated patients, immunization against meningococcal serogroups ACWY and B is recommended. In addition, some guidelines suggest antibiotic prophylaxis for the duration of eculizumab treatment. In splenectomized patients, counseling and immunization are cornerstones of infection prevention. Several federal and society guidelines about immunizations and prophylactic antimicrobial therapies for patients treated with various immunosuppressive agents exist and are summarized in this manuscript in a clinical-focused table. In addition, management suggestions are made where no formal guidelines exist.

Late-Onset Neutropenia after Rituximab Treatment for Adult-Onset Nephrotic Syndrome

A 41-year-old woman developed nephrotic syndrome at the age of 32 and was diagnosed with minimal change nephrotic syndrome based on a renal biopsy. Although remission was achieved with administration of prednisolone (PSL) and cyclosporine, the nephrotic syndrome recurred. She was also started on rituximab (RTX). She developed late-onset neutropenia after RTX treatment (R-LON) and improved 17 days later. Although the majority of R-LON cases undergo spontaneous remission, cases of death have been reported. This report is intended to warn about R-LON, since the use of RTX for adult-onset nephrotic syndrome is expected to increase in the future.

Rituximab in neurological disease: principles, evidence and practice

Rituximab is a widely used B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibody. It is unlicensed for use in neurological disorders and there are no treatment guidelines. However, as a rapidly acting, targeted therapy with growing evidence of efficacy and tolerability in several neuroinflammatory disorders, it is an attractive alternative to conventional immunomodulatory medications. This practical review aims to explain the basic principles of B-cell depletion with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. We present the evidence for using rituximab in neurological diseases, and describe the practical aspects of prescribing, including dosing, monitoring, safety, treatment failure and its use in special circumstances such as coexisting viral hepatitis, pregnancy and lactation. We provide an administration guide, checklist and patient information leaflet, which can be adapted for local use. Finally, we review the safety data of rituximab and ocrelizumab (a newer and recently licensed B-cell-depleting therapy for multiple sclerosis) and suggest monitoring and risk reduction strategies.

Cancer chemotherapeutics in rheumatoid arthritis: A convoluted connection

Chemotherapy is one of the most popular therapeutic strategies to treat cancer. However, cancer chemotherapeutics have often been associated with impairment of the immune system, which might consequently lead to an augmented risk of autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Though the accurate mechanistic facets of rheumatoid arthritis induction have not been interpreted yet, a conglomeration of genetic and environmental factors might promote its etiology. What makes the scenario more challenging is that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at a significantly elevated risk of developing various types of cancer. It is intriguing to note that diverse cancer chemotherapy drugs are also commonly used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, a colossal multitude of such cancer therapeutics has demonstrated highly varied results in rheumatoid arthritis patients, including both beneficial and adverse effects. Herein, we attempt to present a holistic account of the variegated modalities of this complex tripartite cross-talk between cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and chemotherapy drugs in order to decode the sinuous correlation between these two appalling pathological conditions.

Rituximab Can Induce Remission in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis Who Failed Anti-TNF-α Agent

Patient: Male, 38

Final Diagnosis: Ankylosing spondylitis

Symptoms: Back pain • morning stiffness

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Not applicable

Specialty: Rheuamatology

Rituximab-Related Late-Onset Neutropenia in Kidney Transplant Recipients Treated for Antibody-Mediated Acute Rejection

OBJECTIVES

Kidney transplant is a new area for use of rituximab, which is being used to treat acute antibody-mediated rejection or as an induction agent in ABO- or HLA-incompatible grafts. We report on late-onset neutropenia in rituximab-treated kidney transplant recipients with antibody-mediated rejection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This observational prospective study was performed on kidney transplant recipients with clinically suspicious or biopsy-proven antibody-mediated rejection treated with plasmapheresis plus intravenous immunoglobulin with (cases) or without (controls) rituximab.

RESULTS

Compared with none of the controls, 4 of 6 patients (66.7%) in the rituximab-treated group experienced late-onset neutropenia 35 to 93 days after the last dose of rituximab. The course of neutropenia was complicated by endocarditis in 1 patient, resulting in his death just because of a lack of valvular surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased use of rituximab to treat antibody-mediated rejection among kidney transplant recipients requires attention to its late-onset adverse event, neutropenia. Although asymptomatic in some patients, kidney transplant recipients treated concomitantly with plasmapheresis and mycophenolate mofetil are predisposed to hypogammaglobulinemia, and monitoring of patients for infections is required.