Long lasting remission by rituximab in a patient with primary cold agglutinin autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

Rituximab in the treatment of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

Rituximab is a B-cell depleting monoclonal antibody that is gaining popularity as an effective therapy for many autoimmune cytopenias. This article systematically evaluates its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of different types of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. We conclude that there is sufficient evidence to recommend it as a second line therapy for warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (wAIHA) either as monotherapy or combined therapy. Evidence from a single randomized controlled trial suggests that it may also be more efficacious as first line therapy in combination with steroids than steroids alone. A fewer number of studies have assessed its role in cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (cAIHA) and cold agglutinin disease (CAD) with success rates varying from 45-66%. In the absence of alternative definitive therapy, rituximab should be considered for patients with symptomatic CAD and significant haemolysis. Case reports of its efficacy in mixed autoimmune haemolytic anaemias are available but evidence from case series or larger cohorts are nonexistent.

Cold agglutinin-induced haemolysis in association with antinuclear antibody-negative SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic relapsing autoimmune disease associated with several autoantibodies targeted to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. Serum antinuclear antibody (ANA) is considered an important diagnostic marker of SLE. However, 2-3% of patients with typical clinical picture of SLE may have persistently negative ANA tests. Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) in SLE is usually mediated by warm IgG anti-erythrocyte antibodies. Our report describes a female patient who presented with clinical manifestations of SLE including photosensitivity, joint pains and AIHA. Further workup revealed high cold IgM agglutinin titres. A comprehensive workup for infectious aetiologies was negative. Autoimmune studies revealed negative ANA, but positive anti-double-stranded DNA and antiphospholipid antibodies. Lymphoproliferative disorder was excluded by imaging studies. Initial treatment with steroids proved of little benefit; however, rituximab resulted in significant clinical improvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is perhaps the first report of ANA-negative SLE presenting with cold AIHA.