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Rituximab is often associated with B cell depletion and is an evolving therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).&nbsp;However, adverse events (AEs) with using rituximab are common and can be a deterrent in using the drug as a&nbsp;re-treatment in patients who previously demonstrated beneficial response.&nbsp;A study in&nbsp;Rheumatology&nbsp;looked&nbsp;at using ofatumumab&nbsp;as an&nbsp;alternative B cell&ndash;depleting agent&nbsp;in patients with SLE&nbsp;who could&nbsp;no longer continue to use&nbsp;rituximab because of AEs.&nbsp;<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Great paper by &#8294;<a href="https://twitter.com/kidneydoc101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kidneydoc101</a>&#8297; et al. I&rsquo;ve also seen good results from Ofatumumab in those allergic to Rituximab. More evidence to hopefully support increased use in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sle</a> <a href="https://t.co/vz63A4eLoM">https://t.co/vz63A4eLoM</a>
&mdash; Chris Wincup (@chriswincup) <a href="https://twitter.com/chriswincup/status/1011325387543142403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2018</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Interesting alternative to Rituximab <a href="https://t.co/EfqiFE0HYM">https://t.co/EfqiFE0HYM</a>
&mdash; Tiberius Gracchus &#127477;&#127480; &#127817; (@izharnephrol) <a href="https://twitter.com/izharnephrol/status/1011394831724277762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2018</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The study was a&nbsp;single-center,&nbsp;retrospective case series.&nbsp;Sixteen&nbsp;patients were treated with ofatumumab for SLE between 2012 and 2015.&nbsp;The median&nbsp;age was 34 (range 19&ndash;55) and the median duration of SLE 9.2 years (0.6&ndash;28.5)&nbsp;According to the results,&nbsp;ofatumumab&nbsp;was well tolerated in 14 out of the 16 patients.&nbsp;Twelve patients were treated for lupus nephritis&nbsp;(LN), one for extra-renal flare and one for remission maintenance.&nbsp;In addition,&nbsp;B cell&ndash;depletion was achieved in 12&nbsp;out of&nbsp;14 patients.&nbsp;<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://t.co/e70nOH2XaM">https://t.co/e70nOH2XaM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lupus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lupus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bcelldepletion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bcelldepletion</a> Originally approved for CLL and has distinct binding epitope from RTX
&mdash; Rajkiran Dudam (@RajkiranDudam) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajkiranDudam/status/996947082958196736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Half of the patients with LN achieved renal remission by 6 months. During long-term follow-up (median 28 months), five grade III infections were reported,&nbsp;but&nbsp;there were no malignancies or deaths.&nbsp;Researchers concluded that in patients with long-standing SLE and an allergy to rituximab,&nbsp;ofatumumab&nbsp;is a well-tolerated and effective alternative therapy for&nbsp;B cell&ndash;depletion therapy.&nbsp;SOURCE:&nbsp;<a href="https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article-abstract/57/7/1156/4943959?redirectedFrom=fulltext">Rheumatology&nbsp;</a>

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Using Ofatumumab for SLE When Rituximab Just Won’t Do

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Rituximab is often associated with B cell depletion and is an evolving therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, adverse events (AEs) with using rituximab are ...