cyclophosphamide + rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin + rituximab

This combination therapy is a conditioning regimen developed by researchers at Northwestern University for the treatment of severe, refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The protocol utilizes high-dose cyclophosphamide (an alkylating agent), rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG, a polyclonal antibody for T-cell depletion), and rituximab (a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 on B-cells) to achieve profound immunoablation. This intensive chemotherapy and immunotherapy phase is followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using unselected peripheral blood stem cells. The goal of the treatment is to eliminate the autoreactive immune system and allow for the reconstitution of a self-tolerant immune repertoire, potentially leading to long-term disease remission in patients who have failed standard immunosuppressive therapies.

Other names

Northwestern SLE HSCT protocolHigh-dose cyclophosphamide plus rATG and rituximab conditioning