Rituximab-induced neutropenia in a patient with inflammatory myopathy and systemic sclerosis overlap disease

• Main Authors: Qasim Akram, Mark Roberts, Chester Oddis, Arianne Herrick, Hector Chinoy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Termedia Publishing House 2016-03-01
• Series: Rheumatology
• Subjects: rituximab; myositis; systemic sclerosis; neutropenia
• Online Access: http://www.termedia.pl/Rituximab-induced-neutropenia-in-a-patient-with-inflammatory-myopathy-and-systemic-sclerosis-overlap-disease,18,27173,1,1.html

Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal chimeric antibody directed against the CD20 antigen of B lymphocytes. Late onset neutropenia (LON) is a recognised complication of rituximab usually occurring 4 weeks after the last dose and is reported in both haematological and rheumatological conditions. However, it has never been described in a patient with myositis and systemic sclerosis overlap disease.We describe a case of LON in a 54-year-old man who was diagnosed with myositis and then systemic sclerosis overlap disease. It resolved within 7 days, and the patient did not suffer neutropenic sepsis or any other complications. We propose similar mechanisms for LON as described in other conditions and routine blood monitoring in such patients.