Cassia MA, Alberici F, Jones RB, et al. - In this investigation involving 147 patients, researchers analyzed the results of rituximab (RTX) treatment in a European Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) cohort, with a focus on the role of RTX as a maintenance agent. Included in four centers were all patients with SLE who received RTX as induction therapy. After therapy, patients receiving a single RTX course and those receiving RTX maintenance treatment (RMT) were followed up. At 6 months, treatment failure was experienced by 27% experienced. According to multivariate analysis, the risk of treatment failure was less in relation to a low number of previous immunosuppressive therapies and low C4 levels. RMT is a potential treatment option for patients with illnesses that are difficult to treat. Relapses occur during RMT and are more likely at the time of the first RTX administration in those with the active articular disease. After RMT, high relapse risk remains that was apparently comparable to the one seen after a single-RTX course.