Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis is a severe liver disease in which ~10% of patients do not respond to standard treatment. We describe a new rescue therapy using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (rituximab). Complete remission was obtained and maintained by using low doses of immunosuppressive drugs with repeated anti-CD20 infusions.
Keywords:
autoimmune hepatitis; children; rituximab; treatment.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / adverse effects
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
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Child
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Drug Resistance
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Female
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Hepatitis, Autoimmune / diagnosis
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Hepatitis, Autoimmune / drug therapy*
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Hepatitis, Autoimmune / pathology
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Humans
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Immunologic Factors / adverse effects
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Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
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Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Infusions, Intravenous
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Liver / pathology
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Liver Function Tests
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Rituximab
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Immunologic Factors
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Rituximab