TITLE:
Rituximab Induced Vasculitis: Dose the Antigen-Antibody Complex of Rituximab Play a Role in Developing Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis?—A Case Report and Review of the Literature
AUTHORS:
Ahmed A. AlTaroti, Zahra Z. AlZahir, Salah Abohelaika
KEYWORDS:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rituximab, Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.12 No.9,
September
11,
2024
ABSTRACT: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20, which is a specific B-cell surface antigen. It was the first monoclonal antibody that was approved for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other cutaneous lymphoid malignancies. There are many off-label uses of rituximab, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, multiple sclerosis, graft-versus-host disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Among the rare side effects associated with rituximab treatment is vasculitis, more specifically, leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Here, we describe a 21-year-old Saudi female with leukocytoclastic vasculitis occurring three months after treatment with rituximab.