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Reversing Autoimmunity Combination of Rituximab and Intravenous Immunoglobulin.

ABSTRACT: In this concept paper, the authors present a unique and novel protocol to treat autoimmune diseases that may have the potential to reverse autoimmunity. It uses a combination of B cell depletion therapy (BDT), specifically rituximab (RTX) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), based on a specifically designed protocol (Ahmed Protocol). Twelve infusions of RTX are given in 6-14 months. Once the CD20+ B cells are depleted from the peripheral blood, IVIg is given monthly until B cells repopulation occurs. Six additional cycles are given to end the protocol. During the stages of B cell depletion, repopulation and after clinical recovery, IVIg is continued. Along with clinical recovery, significant reduction and eventual disappearance of pathogenic autoantibody occurs. Administration of IVIg in the post-clinical period is a crucial part of this protocol. This combination reduces and may eventually significantly eliminates inflammation in the microenvironment and facilitates restoring immune balance. Consequently, the process of autoimmunity and the phenomenon that lead to autoimmune disease are arrested, and a sustained and prolonged disease and drug-free remission is achieved. Data from seven published studies, in which this combination protocol was used, are presented. It is known that BDT does not affect check points. IVIg has functions that mimic checkpoints. Hence, when inflammation is reduced and the microenvironment is favorable, IVIg may restore tolerance. The authors provide relevant information, molecular mechanism of action of BDT, IVIg, autoimmunity, and autoimmune diseases. The focus of the manuscript is providing an explanation, using the current literature, to demonstrate possible pathways, used by the combination of BDT and IVIg in providing sustained, long-term, drug-free remissions of autoimmune diseases, and thus reversing autoimmunity, albeit for the duration of the observation.

SUBMITTER: Ahmed AR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6058053 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Reversing Autoimmunity Combination of Rituximab and Intravenous Immunoglobulin.

Ahmed A Razzaque AR Kaveri Srinivas S

Frontiers in immunology 20180718

In this concept paper, the authors present a unique and novel protocol to treat autoimmune diseases that may have the potential to reverse autoimmunity. It uses a combination of B cell depletion therapy (BDT), specifically rituximab (RTX) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), based on a specifically designed protocol (Ahmed Protocol). Twelve infusions of RTX are given in 6-14 months. Once the CD20<sup>+</sup> B cells are depleted from the peripheral blood, IVIg is given monthly until B cells re ...[more]

PMID: 30072982

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Project description:Background: We aimed to investigate the effects of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and rituximab desensitization treatment on kidney transplant rate and blood gene expression profiles by microrarrays. Methods: We enrolled patients with PRA levels >50% and on the deceased-donor waiting list for >5 years. Patients received IVIG (2.0 g/kg) on day 0 and 30; and rituximab (375 mg/m2) on day 15. The antibodies with mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) values > 5,000 were reported to UNET as unacceptable antigens. The gene expression profiles of blood samples collected in PAXGene tube were studied by Affymetrix HuGene 1.0 ST expression arrays. Results: 40 of the 415 patients (10%) on the waiting list were eligible for desensitization treatment and 11 completed the treatment. While 15 of the remaining 29 patients (52%) received a transplant without therapy, only 2 of the 11 desensitized patients (18%) received transplant during a median follow-up of 217 days. While there were no statistically significant difference in demographics, desensitized patients had higher cPRA values (97% vs. 77%, p=0.0005) and more number of unacceptable antigens (39 vs. 10, p=0.0001). There was no significant change in the mean number of unacceptable antigens (39 ± 22 versus 39 ± 23) or reduction in the mean MFI values (11,333 ± 3,133 vs 11,289 ± 3,386). Analysis of genes chosen as significantly differentially expressed revealed downregulation of genes involved in B cells and immune system (CD79a, B and T lymphocyte associated transcript, B cell scaffold protein, CD22, CXCR5, fas apoptotic inhibitory protein). Gene set enrichment analysis using Pathogenesis Based Transcripts created by Edmonton Group demonstrated significant downregulation of B cell associated (p=0.04) and immunoglobulin transcripts (p=0.03). Conclusion: Although, desensitization with IVIG and rituximab decreases the expression of B cell and immunoglobulin associated transcripts, it was not successful in increasing kidney transplant rate or in decreasing the number of unacceptable antigens.

Project description:BackgroundReactivation of BK polyoma virus causes a destructive virus allograft nephropathy (BKVAN) with graft loss in 46%. Treatment options are limited to reduced immunosuppression and largely ineffective antiviral agents. Some studies suggest benefit from intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).MethodsWe evaluated effectiveness of adjuvant IVIG to eliminate virus from blood and tissue, in a retrospective, single-center cohort study, against standard-of-care controls. Both groups underwent reduced immunosuppression; conversion of tacrolimus to cyclosporine; and mycophenolate to leflunomide, oral ciprofloxacin, and intravenous cidofovir.ResultsBiopsy-proven BKVAN occurred in 50 kidneys at 7 (median interquartile range, 3-12) months after transplantation, predominantly as histological stage B (92%), diagnosed following by dysfunction in 46%, screening viremia in 20%, and protocol biopsy in 34%. After treatment, mean viral loads fell from 1581 ± 4220 × 103 copies at diagnosis to 1434 ± 70 639 midtreatment, and 0.138 ± 0.331 after 3 months (P < 0.001). IVIG at 1.01 ± 0.18 g/kg was given to 22 (44%) patients. The IVIG group more effectively cleared viremia (hazard ratio, 3.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-8.68; P = 0.003) and BK immunohistochemistry from repeated tissue sampling (hazard ratio, 2.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-4.58; P = 0.028), and resulted in faster (11.3 ± 10.4 months vs 29.1 ± 31.8 months, P = 0.015) and more complete resolution of viremia (33.3% vs 77.3%, P = 0.044). Numerically, fewer graft losses occurred with IVIG (27.3% vs 53.6% for control, P = 0.06), although graft and patient survivals were not statistically different. Acute renal dysfunction requiring pulse corticosteroid was common (59.1% vs 78.6%, P = 0.09), respectively, after immunosuppression reduction.ConclusionsCombination treatment incorporating adjuvant IVIG was more effective eliminating virus from BKVAN, compared with conventional therapy. Validation by multicenter randomized trial is needed.

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Dataset Information

Reversing Autoimmunity Combination of Rituximab and Intravenous Immunoglobulin.

Publications

Reversing Autoimmunity Combination of Rituximab and Intravenous Immunoglobulin.

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