Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology

ea0016p810 | Thyroid | ECE2008

Effects of rituximab (RTX) treatment on IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor secretion in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO)

Campi Irene , Vannucchi Guia , Dazzi Davide , Covelli Danila , Bonara Paola , Curro Nicola , Beck-Peccoz Paolo , Salvi Mario

We described a significant clinical response to RTX treatment in patients with active TAO. In order to understand the possible mechanisms of action of RTX, we measured serum concentrations of IL-6 and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R). We treated 10 patients with RTX: 8 women, 2 men aged 31–51 yr with Graves’ disease. We also treated 14 patients with i.v. steroids (IVGC). All had active TAO. In all patients we studied thyroid function, serum autoantibodies and peripheral...

ea0011p918 | Thyroid | ECE2006

Treatment of patients with Graves’ disease and ophthalmopathy with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab

Salvi M , Vannucchi GM , Campi I , Guastella C , Sbrozzi F , Simonetta S , Rossi S , Bonara P , Avignone S , Ratiglia R

We are conducting an open study on the treatment of Graves’ disease (GD) and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) with the monoclonal antibody to CD-20, rituximab (RTX) (MabThera, Hoffman-Roche, Basel). RTX induces depletion of B cells and GD is typically a B cell dependent autoimmune disease. We present preliminary results on 7 patients with GD and TAO at different clinical stages: 3 women with newly diagnosed GD and initial TAO; 1 woman with GD and moderate-severe TA...

ea0020p68 | Thyroid | ECE2009

Treatment of patients with Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) with rituximab: effects on humoral immunity

Vannucchi Guia , Campi Irene , Bonomi Marco , Curro Nicola , Dazzi Davide , Covelli Danila , Bonara Paola , Persani Luca , Wall Jack , Beck-Peccoz Paolo , Salvi Mario

Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody which binds CD20 antigen and induces B cell depletion. It is not known if its therapeutic effect in autoimmune diseases is mediated by modifications of the humoral immune response, namely the antibody production. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of RTX on serum TSH-receptor antibodies, both binding (TBII) and stimulating (TSAb) and on serum antibodies against three orbital antigens, calsequestrin, XIII collagen and th...

ea0014oc1.3 | Thyroid clinical | ECE2007

Persistence of decreased peripheral B-lymphocytes after Rituximab treatment is associated to inactive disease in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

Campi Irene , Vannucchi Guia , Covelli Danila , Bonara Paola , Currò Nicola , Dazzi Davide , Pirola Giacinta , Rossi Stefania , Guastella Claudio , Beck-Peccoz Paolo , Salvi Mario

The anti-CD20 antibody Rituximab (RTX) induces peripheral B cells depletion. Aim of the present study was to evaluate changes of lymphocytes after RTX therapy, administered at the dosage of 1000 mg twice at 2-week interval, in 10 patients with Graves’ disease, 8 of whom had associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). In all patients, we studied the standard immunophenotypic panel before therapy and monthly for up to 2 years. Total CD20+ (and CD19+) cell depletion was observed after ...

ea0014p310 | (1) | ECE2007

Intraorbital tissues effects of rituximab (RTX) treatment in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO)

Vannucchi Guia , Campi Irene , Rossi Stefania , Bonara Paola , Guastella Claudio , Currò Nicola , Simonetta Simona , Sina Clara , Ratiglia Roberto , Beck-Peccoz Paolo , Salvi Mario

We previously described a significant response to RTX treatment in patients with active TAO, with no effect on TRAb and hyperthyroidism. In order to study the effect of RTX in the orbit, we analyzed the orbital tissues of 9 patients with TAO at decompression after RTX (n.2) or other treatments. Decompression was carried out in 2 patients for sight threatening optic neuropathy and in 7 for correction of proptosis. Of the RTX treated patients, one was decompressed after 12 month...