Rituximab increases peripheral natural killer cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Clin Exp Rheumatol
; 35(2): 241-246, 2017.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27908302
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
The clinical response of rituximab (RTX) is related to the degree of B cell depletion, although other circulating lymphocytes may be affected. We investigated the changes in lymphocyte sub-populations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with RTX and their relationship with the therapeutic response, with attention to natural killer (NK) cells.METHODS:
In fifty-one RA patients peripheral blood B and T lymphocytes and NK cells subtypes were counted by flow cytometry before and 3, 6 and 12 months after RTX administration. Patients were evaluated for disease activity with DAS28-CRP and EULAR response criteria at each visit.RESULTS:
RTX significantly increased from baseline values CD56+3- cells (28 %, 19 % and 25 %; p<0.001, p=0.009 and p=0.004 respectively for month 3, 6 and 12) and CD56dimCD16+ cells (41%, 24% and 36%; p<0.001, p=0.001 and p<0.001 respectively for month 3, 6 and 12). CD56bri16- cells were unaffected by RTX treatment. The increase in both CD56+3- and CD56dimCD16+ cells was significantly greater in patients who were re-treated with another course of RTX at month 6 (p=0.046 and p=0.010 respectively). An inverse correlation between disease activity score and increase in NK cells was demonstrated. No significant changes were observed in CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells during the whole observation period.CONCLUSIONS:
In RA patients, RTX treatment is associated with significant and persistent increase in CD56+3- and CD56dimCD16+ NK cells. A correlation with disease activity is probable, although the association with clinical response remains to be proved.
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Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Artritis Reumatoide
/
Células Asesinas Naturales
/
Antirreumáticos
/
Rituximab
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Exp Rheumatol
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia