Successful treatment of recurrent pancreatitis secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus with B-cell depletion therapy.

Abstract

Recurrent pancreatitis secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus is a rare entity of unknown etiology. We report an adolescent with systemic lupus erythematosus and recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis, which were poorly controlled with conventional therapy for approximately four years. Rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy resulted in remission of symptoms for more than two years without major toxicity of treatment. Based on tolerability and high efficiency of rituximab therapy, we would suggest using B-cell depletion therapy as an alternative therapy for refractory pancreatitis secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus.