Drug-induced lupus in anti-TNF-alpha therapy and its treatment with rituximab

Rheumatol Int. 2012 Oct;32(10):3315-7. doi: 10.1007/s00296-011-2137-y. Epub 2011 Sep 1.

Abstract

We report three patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with anti-TNF-α agents and who developed drug-induced lupus (DIL). Two of them received etanercept and the remainder adalimumab. We also present the favorable response observed with the withdrawal of the anti-TNF-alpha agents and the introduction of rituximab. Through this intervention, we observed a very good control of the activity of both DIL and RA without additional adverse reactions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Drug Substitution
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / chemically induced
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Rituximab
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Rituximab
  • Adalimumab
  • Etanercept