RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Changes in salivary gland immunohistology and function after rituximab monotherapy in a patient with Sjögren’s syndrome and associated MALT lymphoma
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 958
OP 960
DO 10.1136/ard.2004.030684
VO 64
IS 6
A1 J Pijpe
A1 G W van Imhoff
A1 A Vissink
A1 J E van der Wal
A1 P M Kluin
A1 F K L Spijkervet
A1 C G M Kallenberg
A1 H Bootsma
YR 2005
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/64/6/958.abstract
AB Objectives: To report the successful use of rituximab on salivary gland immunohistology and function in a patient with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and associated MALT lymphoma. Case report: The patient was a 42 year old woman with primary SS and associated MALT lymphoma located in the parotid gland and the hard palate. Four infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m2) weekly resulted in complete remission of the lymphoma. An incision biopsy of the parotid gland before and after treatment showed improvement of the (immuno)histopathological characteristics of SS, with possible regeneration of salivary gland tissue. Furthermore, salivary analysis showed decreased inflammatory characteristics and increased stimulated salivary flow. Discussion: Rituximab is a promising agent in the treatment of SS associated MALT lymphoma. In addition to the effect on MALT lymphoma, B cell depletion by rituximab may also attenuate the activity of SS. This case report is the first to describe the effect of rituximab on histological and sialometric/chemical characteristics of SS. The efficacy of rituximab in the treatment of SS warrants further investigation.