JCEM: An exploratory trial of adjuvant rituximab therapy in young people with Graves disease

Background: Graves disease (GD) is a challenging disease for young people and their families
.

The remission rate of standard antithyroid drugs (ATD) after 1-3 years of treatment is low, about 20%-30%, so it is recommended to extend the treatment time

The remission rate of standard antithyroid drugs (ATD) after 1-3 years of treatment is low, about 20%-30%, so it is recommended to extend the treatment time

Results: A total of 27 participants were recruited and the trial was completed without any serious side effects related to the treatment
.

Of the 27 participants, 21 had a daily dose of methimazole less than 5 mg at 12 months

Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Table 2 Summary of patient biochemistry and remission status

Table 2 Summary of patient biochemistry and remission status

Figure 1 Thyroid receptor antibody (TRAb) levels were centrally measured at baseline, 12 months and 24 months
.

Relapsed patients are shown in red

Figure 1 Thyroid receptor antibody (TRAb) levels were centrally measured at baseline, 12 months and 24 months

Figure 2 Box plot shows the distribution of B-cell lymphocyte counts in patients in remission and non-remission at 28 weeks, expressed as a percentage of the baseline value: the red line indicates the median
.

Figure 2 Box plot shows the distribution of B-cell lymphocyte counts in patients in remission and non-remission at 28 weeks, expressed as a percentage of the baseline value: the red line indicates the median
.

Table 3 Serious adverse reactions experienced by trial participants

Table 3 Serious adverse reactions experienced by trial participants

Table 4 The number and percentage of all participants for each non-serious adverse event or adverse reaction reported by system organ category (N = 27)

Table 4 The number and percentage of all participants for each non-serious adverse event or adverse reaction reported by system organ category (N = 27)

Conclusion: The adjuvant RTX combined with a 12-month course of ATD may increase the possibility of remission in young patients with Graves hyperthyroidism
.

It is necessary to conduct randomized trials of the adjuvant RTX in young people with hyperthyroidism

The adjuvant RTX combined with a 12-month course of ATD treatment may increase the possibility of remission in young patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism

Cheetham T, Cole M, Abinun M,et al.

Adjuvant Rituximab - exploratory trial in young people with Graves' disease in this message