Obinutuzumab is effective in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis after rituximab failure: A case report

Curtis Lachowiez, Atul Deodhar, Eliana Kozin, Stephen Spurgeon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Rare co-existance of disease or pathology Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia affecting older adults. As such, many of these patients suffer from co-existing disease states, and the provider must take these comorbidities into account when determining a treatment regimen. The widespread use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has drastically changed the treatment landscape of multiple diseases, ranging from leukemia to autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Case Report: We present the case of a patient who had progression of his CLL and rheumatoid symptoms on rituximab therapy, and was subsequently treated with the second-generation anti-CD20 antibody obinutuzumab. Obinutuzumab therapy was associated with simultaneous sustained remission of both disease states, allowing for discontinuation of all other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and prolonged remission of his CLL. Conclusions: While anti-CD20 antibodies have a clear role in the treatment of leukemia and inflammatory conditions, the success of obinutuzumab in RA has not been fully evaluated. We present this case as further evidence of the strong role of anti-CD 20 therapy in multiple conditions, and the unique opportunity for control of simultaneous disease states through targeted inhibition of shared common pathways.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)516-519
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Case Reports
Volume18
DOIs
StatePublished - May 10 2017

Keywords

  • Arthritis, rheumatoid
  • Leukemia, lymphocytic, chronic, B-cell
  • Medical oncology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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