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Decrease in CD4+ T-cell counts found with repeated rituximab treatment
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a repeated decrease of CD4+ T-cell counts was found during the course of multiple cycles of rituximab treatment, according to study results.
Researchers from Université François-Ravelais de Tours in France assessed patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent up to seven cycles of rituximab therapy between 2007 and 2013. The researchers performed lymphocyte phenotyping and clinical assessments before and 3 months to 6 months after each cycle of treatment. At each time, they used nonparametric tests to compare lymphocyte counts and disease activity.
They found mean CD4+ T-cell counts to be above the upper reference limit before each rituximab infusion — suggesting the CD4+ T-cell homeostasis was disrupted before treatment when patients stopped responding — and repeatedly reached the limit at 6 months or 3 months after infusion. They also found CD4+ T-cell counts decreased concurrently with disease activity score.
These results suggest the use of CD4+ T-cell counts for rituximab administration — instead of B-cell variations — could more likely help avoid disease relapse, the researchers wrote. – by Will Offit
Disclosure: Lavielle reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other relevant financial disclosures.