Thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) or frequently called Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) commonly occurs in association with Graves’ hyperthyroidism. The prevalence of GO in euthyroid and primarily hypothyroid patients ranges between 1.6% and 8.6% [1]. Orbitopathy in hypothyroid/euthyroid patients present with less soft tissue involvement, more asymmetrical disease and clinically less marked symptoms than in primarily hyperthyroid patients [1]. Determination of thyroid-specific antibodies contributes to the diagnosis of underlying thyroid disease in such situations.

The pathophysiology of TAO is still incompletely understood, but involves both humoral and cell mediated immune response. Orbital fibroblasts are the target cells in Graves’ orbitopathy and autoantibodies diverted against thyroid stimulating hormone TSH receptor (TSHR) stimulates TSHR present in the orbital fibroblasts and leads to secretion of large quantity of glycosaminoglycan (hyaluronan). Sub group of these fibroblast differentiate into mature adipocyte with increased expression of TSHR on their surface and thus causing enlargement of extraocular muscle and expansion of orbital fat. This orbital fat is prone to robust inflammatory reaction within the orbit. Evidences suggest that there is an upregulation of immediate early adipogenic genes and other adipocyte-related genes, including those encoding peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR-?), interleukin-6, adiponectin, and leptin. PPAR-? agonists stimulate adipogenesis and expression of the thyrotropin receptor in cultured orbital preadipocytes. [2]. Insulin like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF1R) is another important autoantigen implicated in Graves orbitopathy expressed by fibroblast and serum of these patients found to have antibodies directed against these receptors [3]. Extraocular muscles, connective tissues and fat are infiltrated with lymphocytes leading to acute inflammatory changes and later scarring.

Current treatment option for moderate to severe active TAO is oral or intravenous glucocorticoid (GC), orbital radiation, surgical decompression or combination of these. Intravenous pulse methyl prednisolone therapy is preferred because of its higher efficacy and lower side effect [4]. Failure to glucocorticoid therapy is not infrequent and should be considered when decrease in the clinical activity score (CAS) of < 2, increase in CAS = 2 following the taper of glucocorticoid or development of dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) during the course of glucocorticoid therapy. RTX appears to be an attractive option in these situations as B cell depletion might be an effective strategy for salvaging these individuals by non-surgical means. Herein we report a case of moderate to severe progressive euthyroid TAO refractory to glucocorticoid therapy who responded to this biological agent.

A 46-year-old Indian male non-smoker presented in September 2014 with history of protrusion of eye ball, swelling and redness of eye for four months duration. He visited local ophthalmologist who prescribed eye drops and oral prednisolone. Patient discontinued medication after three weeks as symptoms improved and did not consult doctor again. After two months his symptoms reappeared and progressed. So he consulted ophthalmology department of our institute and was referred to us for evaluation of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy. On admission he had bilateral proptosis, swelling and redness of eyelid, conjunctival redness with chemosis and inflamed caruncle. Clinical activity score (CAS) was 5/7 bilateral and there was no diplopia. Patient was clinically euthyroid and there was no goitre. He was biochemically euthyroid (Free T4:1.3 ng/dl , TSH: 2.021 mIU/ml) with elevated TSHR Ab (70.6 IU/ml, Positive if > 14 IU/ml) and elevated anti TPO antibody levels (256 U/ml , Normal <35U/ml). He received weekly pulse therapy for 12 cycles (500 mg of intravenous pulse methyl prednisolone weekly for initial six cycles followed by 250 mg weekly for subsequent six cycles).There was only a mild symptomatic improvement after initial three cycles but again continued to have symptoms till at the end of therapy when CAS remained 5/7 bilaterally. The patient was lost for follow up for three month during this period he was using only local eye protective measures and presented again with worsening of eye symptoms with pain on eye ball movements with increased eyelid swelling. On examination CAS 6/7 bilateral (Figure 1A) (Figure 2B) NOSPECS (a standard mnemonic used for classification for thyroid associated ophthalmopathy) was 2c 3b 4a with restriction in abduction of left eye. Subjective diplopia score was 2. Vision in both eyes was 6/9, with normal intra ocular pressure and fundus. Systemic examination was normal. Thyroid profile was within normal limit. Liver enzymes, metabolic and hematologic profiles were normal.

As patient did not respond to previous glucocorticoid therapy other options like radiotherapy, surgical decompression and biological agent rituximab were discussed. As patient was unwilling for either radiotherapy or surgical option RTX was planned after detailed discussion about pros and cons of therapy. He was screened for chronic infection like tuberculosis hepatitis B, C and HIV. Premedications included 125 mg intravenous methylprednisolone, 1 g oral acetaminophen, and 50 mg diphenhydramine, given 30 minutes prior to RTX infusion. Patient was given 500 mg of RTX through intravenous infusion. Infusion was repeated after two weeks. He did not develop any major adverse reaction and was discharged with cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. The patient was assessed two weeks following 2nd dose and again at sixth week and third month. At sixth week CAS was 3/7, and at third month CAS was 2/7 (Figure 2A–B) NOSPECS was 2a3a, with improvement in proptosis. There was no diplopia with normal range of ocular movement without any deterioration of vision. After 12 months of last therapy with RTX, the patient became hypothyroid and was replaced with thyroxine and clinical activity score was stabilized to 2/7.

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), affecting 30–50% of patients with Graves’ disease, can be found with euthyroid and hypothyroid subjects. They usually respond to steroid therapy when compared to TAO associated with hyperthyroidism. Up to 20% of patients of active Graves’ orbitopathy are unresponsive to present intravenous glucocorticoid therapy and another 10–20% relapses after steroid withdrawal and up to 5% may progress to dysthyroid optic neuropathy even on treatment [5] [6]. The patient had modrate to severe active TAO and did not respond to intravenous glucocorticoid therapy. This is unusual in euthyroid TAO who develop only milder disease and respond promptly to glucocorticoid therapy.

Thyroid associated ophthalmopathy results from B cells driven mechanism leading to production of TSHR antibody, which acts through thyrotropin receptors present on orbital fibroblasts leading to production of hyaluronan and also differentiation in to adipocytes. These B cells are effective antigen presenting cells leading to activation of T cells and also involved in production of proinflammatory cytokines [2] [6]. Since RTX is a human/murine chimeric monoclonal antibody which targets CD20, transmembrane protein present on immature and mature B cells, effectively depletes these cells from periphery leading to reduction of pathogenic TSHR antibodies and inflammation without affecting generation of B cells from bone marrow as CD 20 is absent on most pro-B cell or plasma cells [6]. Additionally, RTX reduces production of autoantibody to IGF-1R which are involved in pathogenesis of a subset of TAO [7]. Apart from these RTX may also lead to clinical benefit through altered levels of regulatory T cells (Tregs) which are involved in maintaining tolerance to self-antigens [8].

As natural course of TAO has acute inflammation for 6–12 months followed by stabilization of clinical signs, a transient (4–6 months) B cell depletion induced by RTX is potential therapeutic strategy. Our patient responded to RTX therapy with significant reduction in disease activity. Initial studies by Fassi et al. and Salvi et al. has shown that blocking the CD20 receptor on B-lymphocytes with rituximab affects the clinical course of TAO, by reducing inflammation and the degree of proptosis [9][10][11] Khanna et al. have treated six patients with active and severe Gravis’ orbitopathy, unresponsive to glucocorticoids with RTX, and have observed a decrement in the CAS from 5.5–1.8 at eight week, which remained low at sixth month [12]. In all these studies, there was no relapse in patient treated with RTX. So far only two randomized control trials are published. Stan et al. from Mayo clinic while studying efficacy of rituximab in 25 Graves’ orbitopathy (RTX (n=13) vs Placebo (n=12)) found that RTX offered no additional benefit over placebo. They also found that duration of the disease was important determinant [5]. Duration more than one year may not respond to RTX therapy. In contrast Mario Salvi et al. showed better therapeutic outcome of RTX in active moderate to severe Graves’ orbitopathy, when compared to intravenous methylprednisolone. Findings from the two studies were discrepant and more RCT’s need to be done to establish the role of RTX in treatment of steroid resistant Graves’ orbitopathy.

Most frequently reported side effects are Infusion-related reactions. It can occur with mild febrile illness to hypotension. Rarely urinary tract infection, worsening of hypertension, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, opportunistic infections and sudden cardiac death can occur. Our patient did not have any of the side effects related to RTX.

This case highlights the use of rituximab as a potential therapeutic option in steroid resistant active moderate to severe thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Two RCTs done to evaluate efficacy of RTX in Graves’ orbitopathy have shown contrasting results. Limited by small numbers these studies call for larger multicentric trials. Due to high cost and potential side effects of rituximab therapy, it should be restricted to severe steroid resistant thyroid associated orbitopathy. Looking at the encouraging results further studies are needed to see efficacy of low dose RTX in such cases which indeed may reduce cost and side effects significantly.

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