Abstract
Rituximab is a chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibody, which binds to CD20, a B cell surface marker, leading to cell death by complement induced lysis and apoptosis. Since the introduction of this drug in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, its applications have been extended to autoimmune diseases. This review summarizes the actual possible uses of this novel immune system targeted drug, and explains the mechanism of B cell depletion in autoimmune diseases.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Autoimmune Diseases / complications
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
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Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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B-Lymphocytes / pathology
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Humans
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Lymphopenia / complications
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Lymphopenia / immunology*
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Lymphopenia / pathology
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Rheumatic Diseases / complications
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Rheumatic Diseases / immunology*
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Rheumatic Diseases / therapy
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Rituximab
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Rituximab