[Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) for refractory systemic lupus erythematosus: report of one case].

New therapeutic approaches that include depletion of B cells using rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the B cell specific antigen CD-20 have been developed for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report the case of a 18 years old girl with SLE that did not respond and experienced adverse effects with the use of hydroxycloroquine, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine and high-dose steroids. Rituximab was given weekly at 375 mg/m(2) for four doses. The drug was well tolerated and the patient had no adverse reactions. She remains asymptomatic three months later.