Rituximab rescue therapy in severe, progressive interstitial lung disease

Aims: In a subgroup of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), immune-mediated pulmonary inflammation is a key pathobiologic process in disease initiation and progression. If untreated, pulmonary inflammation may progress to irreversible fibrosis, and eventually respiratory failure and death. In many ILDs other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, immunosuppressive therapy (including IV cyclophosphamide) may be required to prevent progression of the inflammatory/fibrotic process. Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody, results in rapid B cell depletion from the peripheral circulation, and has proven to be an effect…