Repeated decrease of CD4+ T-cell counts in patients with rheumatoid arthritis over multiple cycles of rituximab treatment

Matthieu Lavielle (1, 2) , Denis Mulleman (1, 2) , Philippe Goupille (1, 2) , Clément Bahuaud (1) , Hsueh Cheng (1, 3) , Hervé Watier (3, 1) , Gilles Thibault (1, 3)

1 GICC UMR 7292 CNRS - Génétique, immunothérapie, chimie et cancer (GICC), UMR 7292 CNRS [2012-2017]
2 Service de rhumatologie
3 Laboratoire d'Immunologie

Significant peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell depletion has been observed after a first cycle of rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen, which is currently used in rheumatoid arthritis. Of note, an absence of CD4+ T-cell decrease has been observed in non-responders. Herein, we describe CD4+ T-cell changes over repeated cycles of rituximab and their relationship with clinical outcomes.

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Human health and pathology; Rhumatology and musculoskeletal system; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Immunology; Immunotherapy

Matthieu Lavielle, Denis Mulleman, Philippe Goupille, Clément Bahuaud, Hsueh Cheng, et al.. Repeated decrease of CD4+ T-cell counts in patients with rheumatoid arthritis over multiple cycles of rituximab treatment. Arthritis Research and Therapy, 2016, 58, pp.253. ⟨10.1186/s13075-016-1152-5⟩. ⟨hal-01403387⟩