Study Finds No Advantage of Rituximab Over Conventional Treatment for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Recent research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that rituximab does not outperform standard treatment strategies in inducing remission among patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). The study, led by Dr. Benjamin Terrier from Hôpital Cochin in Paris, evaluated the effectiveness of rituximab against conventional therapy — primarily glucocorticoids, with or without cyclophosphamide in severe cases. The trial was a multicenter, phase 3, double-blind comparison involving 105 participants, some newly diagnosed and others experiencing relapses.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either rituximab combined with glucocorticoids or the traditional approach, which includes glucocorticoids alone or with cyclophosphamide. The primary endpoint was remission at 180 days, defined by a Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score of zero and a prednisone dose of 7.5 mg/day or less. Results showed that 63.5% of patients in the rituximab group and 60.4% in the control group achieved remission, a difference that was not statistically significant. Similar outcomes persisted at 360 days, with remission durations averaging roughly 48 to 49 weeks in both groups and no significant differences in glucocorticoid doses or adverse events.

Based on these findings, the role of rituximab in treating EGPA may need reevaluation, as it does not appear to provide a superior benefit over conventional therapies. This study suggests clinicians can continue using traditional remission induction strategies without expecting increased efficacy from rituximab for EGPA management.

For more insights, refer to the published study: Rituximab Versus Conventional Therapy for Remission Induction in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-rituximab-superior-conventional-strategy-eosinophilic.html.