Ehrenstein and Wing assert that rituximab re-treatment can trigger a vicious circle of ever-rising levels of BAFF (B-cell-activating factor, also known as TNF ligand superfamily member 13B), increasing autoantibody production and worsening disease in some patients with SLE. They argue for combining B-cell depletion and BAFF blockade in patients with SLE who have post-rituximab flares characterized by high levels of antibodies to double-stranded DNA.
- Michael R. Ehrenstein
- Charlotte Wing
