Systemic sclerosis and calcinosis cutis: response to rituximab

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2016 Feb;41(1):94-6. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.12340. Epub 2015 Dec 15.

Abstract

What is known and objective: Calcinosis cutis (or cutaneous calcification) is a type of calcinosis wherein calcium deposits form in the skin and frequently encountered in limited cutaneous subtype of disease. So far, no treatment has shown an explicit beneficial effect. Medical therapy for calcinosis cutis with rituximab is limited and of variable benefit.

Case summary: Our patient was 54-year-old lady, a case of limited cutaneous scleroderma with widespread progressive calcinosis cutis unresponsive to current therapy. She went under treatment with rituximab with no successful outcome.

What is new and conclusion: Results of therapy with rituximab on regression/improvement of systemic sclerosis-related calcinosis are limited and non-conclusive.

Keywords: calcinosis; rituximab; systemic sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Calcinosis / drug therapy*
  • Calcinosis / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / pathology
  • Skin Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology
  • Treatment Failure
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Rituximab