Ocrelizumab in Pregnancy in a Patient with Juvenile Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
November 2024
in “
Rheumatology Advances in Practice
”
Studysummary In this case report, the use of ocrelizumab in the second trimester of a high-risk pregnancy with active juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus resulted in a successful birth without complications, although its safety in pregnancy remains unlicensed and further evaluation is needed. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
This case study explores the use of Ocrelizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 B cells, in a pregnant patient with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE). The 18-year-old patient, who had previously experienced a pregnancy loss due to active SLE and pre-eclampsia, was treated with Ocrelizumab during her second trimester. Despite the lack of safety data for Ocrelizumab in pregnancy, the treatment resulted in controlled disease activity and the successful birth of a healthy baby at 38 weeks via caesarean section, with no complications or fetal abnormalities observed postpartum. This case highlights the potential of Ocrelizumab as a treatment option in high-risk pregnancies complicated by active SLE, though it emphasizes the need for careful consideration of potential risks to the neonate.
