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Long-term maintenance rituximab for ANCA-associated vasculitis: relapse and infection prediction models.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

McClure, Mark E 
Zhu, Yajing 
Smith, Rona M 
Gopaluni, Seerapani  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1584-6186
Tieu, Joanna 

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Following a maintenance course of rituximab (RTX) for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), relapses occur on cessation of therapy, and further dosing is considered. This study aimed to develop relapse and infection risk prediction models to help guide decision making regarding extended RTX maintenance therapy. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of AAV who received 4-8 grams of RTX as maintenance treatment between 2002 and 2018 were included. Both induction and maintenance doses were included; most patients received standard departmental protocol consisting of 2× 1000 mg 2 weeks apart, followed by 1000 mg every 6 months for 2 years. Patients who continued on repeat RTX dosing long-term were excluded. Separate risk prediction models were derived for the outcomes of relapse and infection. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were included in this study with a median follow-up of 63 months [interquartile range (IQR): 34-93]. Relapse: At time of last RTX, the model comprised seven predictors, with a corresponding C-index of 0.54. Discrimination between individuals using this model was not possible; however, discrimination could be achieved by grouping patients into low- and high-risk groups. When the model was applied 12 months post last RTX, the ability to discriminate relapse risk between individuals improved (C-index 0.65), and once again, clear discrimination was observed between patients from low- and high-risk groups. Infection: At time of last RTX, five predictors were retained in the model. The C-index was 0.64 allowing discrimination between low and high risk of infection groups. At 12 months post RTX, the C-index for the model was 0.63. Again, clear separation of patients from two risk groups was observed. CONCLUSION: While our models had insufficient power to discriminate risk between individual patients they were able to assign patients into risk groups for both relapse and infection. The ability to identify risk groups may help in decisions regarding the potential benefit of ongoing RTX treatment. However, we caution the use of these prediction models until prospective multi-centre validation studies have been performed.

Description

Keywords

ANCA, infection, prediction, relapse, rituximab, vasculitis, Aged, Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis, Antirheumatic Agents, Female, Humans, Infections, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Statistical, Recurrence, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Rituximab, Time Factors

Journal Title

Rheumatology (Oxford)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1462-0324
1462-0332

Volume Title

60

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/R502145/1)