TLDR Rituximab may cause skin issues, but baricitinib can help improve them.
This case report describes a 30-year-old woman with myasthenia gravis who developed vitiligo and alopecia universalis during long-term treatment with rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. The patient exhibited well-demarcated depigmented patches and diffuse non-scarring alopecia, consistent with a 100% Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Rituximab was discontinued due to a possible drug reaction, and treatment with oral Baricitinib was initiated. Within 3 months, significant scalp hair regrowth and re-pigmentation of vitiligo patches were observed with minimal adverse effects. This case highlights the potential for immune-related skin adverse effects during rituximab therapy and suggests that early intervention with Janus kinase inhibitors like baricitinib may lead to favorable clinical outcomes.
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April 2012 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Graft-versus-host disease is a complication where donor immune cells attack the recipient's body, often affecting the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.
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March 2026 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This case report describes a 30-year-old woman with myasthenia gravis who developed vitiligo and alopecia universalis during long-term rituximab therapy. The patient exhibited well-demarcated depigmented patches and diffuse non-scarring alopecia, leading to a 100% Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Rituximab was discontinued due to a suspected drug reaction, and treatment with oral Baricitinib was initiated. Within 3 months, significant scalp hair regrowth and re-pigmentation of vitiligo patches were observed with minimal adverse effects. This case highlights the potential for immune-related skin adverse effects during rituximab therapy and suggests that early intervention with Janus kinase inhibitors like baricitinib may result in favorable outcomes.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” The document is a detailed medical reference on skin and genetic disorders.