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rituximab
Wednesday 17 November 2004
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Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody.
Rituximab (trade names Rituxan and MabThera) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20, which is primarily found on the surface of B cells.
Rituximab destroys B cells, and is therefore used to treat diseases which are characterized by excessive numbers of B cells, overactive B cells, or dysfunctional B cells. This includes many lymphomas, leukemias, transplant rejection, and some autoimmune disorders.
Rituximab has shown efficacy in B-cell PTLDs, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and also in CD20-positive Hodgkin lymphoma.
CD20-negative lymphoid tumors have been described after Rituximab therapy.
References
Pijuan L, Vicioso L, Bellosillo B, Ferrer MD, Baro T, Pedro C, Lloreta-Trull J, Munne A, Serrano S. CD20-Negative T-Cell-Rich B-Cell Lymphoma as a Progression of a Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treated With Rituximab: A Molecular Analysis Using Laser Capture Microdissection. Am J Surg Pathol. 2005 Oct;29(10):1399-1403. PMID: 16160485
