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Promising Treatment Alternatives

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Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Abstract

The current therapeutic approach to the difficult manifestations of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) remains empirical and is based on clinical experience. Available data on the use of rituximab in refractory NPSLE come from a large number of case reports and some open-label studies. Two patients with persistently active NPSLE, despite conventional therapy, responded dramatically to rituximab are described in this chapter. Current evidence on the therapeutic use of rituximab in this chapter is also analyzed through the English-language literatures. Evidence for the effectiveness of rituximab as induction therapy in NPSLE is based solely on several case reports and non-controlled trials. Although it is not yet possible to make definite recommendations, the global analysis of these cases supports the off-label use of rituximab in cases of severe refractory NPSLE. Furthermore, we present the blockade of new targets which may impact the future treatment of NPSLE.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, Japan

    Taku Yoshio

  2. Minami-otsuka institute of technology, Minami-otsuka Clinic, Tokyo, Japan

    Hiroshi Okamoto

Authors
  1. Taku Yoshio
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  2. Hiroshi Okamoto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Taku Yoshio .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Nobubara Hospital, Tatsuno, Hyogo, Japan

    Shunsei Hirohata

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Yoshio, T., Okamoto, H. (2018). Promising Treatment Alternatives. In: Hirohata, S. (eds) Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76496-2_11

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