Bortezomib for Refractory Autoimmunity in Pediatrics

Therapy of refractory autoimmunity remains challenging. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, by targeting plasma cells in 7 patients (median age, 9.9 years). Four doses of bortezomib were administered at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 intravenously (n = 6) or subcutaneously (n = 1) every 72 hours. Bortezomib was administered at a median of 120 days from laboratory confirmation of autoantibodies. All patients had failed 2 or more standard therapies. Rituximab was administered on the first day if B cells were present, and all patients received plasmapheresis 2 hours before bortezomib administration. Six patients experienced resolution of cytopenias. Two of 6 patients experienced recurrence of cytopenias after initial response. Adverse effects include nausea (n = 1), thrombocytopenia (n = 2), Clostridium difficile colitis (n = 1)), febrile neutropenia (n = 1), and cellulitis at the subcutaneous injection site (n = 1). Our experience suggests that bortezomib may be beneficial in the treatment of refractory autoimmunity in children.