Systemic sclerosis and calcinosis cutis: response to rituximab

• Published in: Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 94 - 96
• Main Authors: Poormoghim, H., Andalib, E., Almasi, A. R., Hadibigi, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Hindawi Limited 01-02-2016
• Subjects: calcinosis; Calcinosis - drug therapy; Calcinosis - pathology; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; rituximab; Rituximab - therapeutic use; Scleroderma, Systemic - drug therapy; Scleroderma, Systemic - pathology; Skin Diseases - drug therapy; Skin Diseases - pathology; systemic sclerosis; Treatment Failure; Treatment Outcome; rituximab; calcinosis; systemic sclerosis
• ISSN: 0269-4727; 1365-2710
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12340

Summary
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.