Refractory Lupus Panniculitis Treated Successfully with Rituximab: Two Cases

Lupus panniculitis is usually difficult to treat, and the patient is often put on multiple immunosuppressives with variable clinical response and relapses, notwithstanding the long-term side effects. We describe two cases of refractory lupus panniculitis which have been treated successfully with rituximab which is a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody. It reduces the number of circulating mature B-cells, thereby reducing the autoantibodies and the mediators of inflammation. Rituximab is a good alternative to patients who are not responsive to conventional treatment options for lupus panniculitis. There have been few side effects reported by the patients, but the clinical response and psychological well-being clearly outweigh them.