Rituximab as a therapeutic consideration for refractory eosinophilic fasciitis

Response of recalcitrant generalized morphea to intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg): three cases and a review of the literature

“…Our cases extend the growing evidence that IVIg in combination with glucocorticosteroids and/or steroid-sparing agents are an effective and safe treatment for generalized morphea. We identified only case reports and one small case series on the use of IVIg for generalized morphea und eosinophilic fasciitis (table 1) [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Most patients had received previous therapy for morphea/EF, particularly with systemic corticosteroids.…”

“…IVIg were usually given for at least six months. A significant improvement was noted in most patients (9/16 reported cases), while partial response (4/16) or non-response (3/16) were observed less frequently [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Adverse events were not stated conclusively in the majority of cases.…”

Successful treatment of refractory eosinophilic fasciitis with reslizumab

“… 2 There is a tendency to rely on methotrexate and corticosteroids, but when the disease is refractory, there are no clinical guidelines or approved therapies for this potentially devastating condition. Previous case reports have been published for successful treatment with cyclosporine, 7 rituximab, 8 and tofacitinib. 9 We chose an anti–IL-5 agent as an additional treatment because IL-5 is the major cytokine responsible for the growth, differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils.…”

Eosinophilic Fasciitis – Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

“…Photo(chemo)therapy with either UVA1, PUVA or extracorporeal photochemotherapy has also been reported [12]. There are some case reports about the successful but off-label use of interleukin-6 antagonist tocilizumab [13], anti-CD-antibody rituximab [14], and Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitnib [15]. In some of the cases, these new drugs have been used in combination with either methotrexate or prednisolone.…”