Introduction: Pathological antibody production by B lymphocytes is characteristic of numerous primary and secondary glomerular diseases of the kidney. Specific and less toxic therapies that target antibody-producing B cells are therefore needed. Based on its property of selectively depleting CD20(+) B cells, rituximab is a therapeutic option for antibody-mediated kidney diseases and adds to the existing drug armamentarium for the treatment of a number of these disorders.
Areas covered: This article reviews the current use of rituximab in renal disease and transplantation, and includes discussion of the drug's potential role in conditions where traditional treatment has failed. A literature search using PubMed data base was undertaken using search words rituximab and kidney transplantation, glomerulonephritis, antibody production etc.
Expert opinion: Rituximab could be a beneficial drug in certain renal diseases and for complications related to kidney transplantation where conventional treatment has not been successful.