Cassia MA, et al. - Researchers examined a European Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) cohort (n=147) treated with rituximab (RTX) for outcomes with an emphasis on the role of RTX as a maintenance agent. At 6 months, treatment failure (TF) was experienced by 27% experienced. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of TF was less in relation to a low number of previous immunosuppressive therapies and low C4 levels. For difficult to treat patients, RTX as maintenance treatment (RMT) seems to be a potential treatment option. During RMT, relapses were noted, especially in those with active articular disease at the time of the first RTX. After RMT, high relapse risk remains that was apparently comparable to the one seen after a single-RTX course.