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The following is a summary of “Predictors of rituximab efficacy in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: machine-learning analysis of the DESIRES trial,” published in the December 2024 issue of Rheumatology by Kuzumi et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to identify predictors of rituximab efficacy in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). 

They analyzed data from 48 patients with SSc-ILD in the DESIRES trial using a machine learning causal tree algorithm. A total of 28 baseline factors were evaluated as predictors of rituximab efficacy on the percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (ppFVC) at 24 weeks. 

The results showed that serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) levels stratified patients into 3 subpopulations. In patients with CRP ≥ 0.055 mg/dl, ΔppFVC was higher with rituximab than placebo (8.01% [95% CI: 4.40%, 11.62%]). For CRP < 0.055 mg/dl and KL-6 ≥ 364 U/ml, ΔppFVC was comparable (2.47% [95% CI: -1.99%, 6.92%]). In CRP < 0.055 mg/dl and KL-6 < 364 U/ml, ΔppFVC was lower with rituximab (-6.85% [95% CI: -10.80%, -2.91%]). 

Investigators found that slight elevations in serum CRP levels were linked to improved ppFVC and identified as potential predictors of rituximab efficacy in SSc-ILD. 

Source: academic.oup.com/rheumatology/advance-article/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keae716/7932138