What is rituximab?
Rituximab (brand name MabThera) is a new type of drug which removes antibody-producing white blood cells called B-cells. Antibodies are proteins which are produced by the body in response to germs, viruses or any other substances which the body sees as foreign or dangerous. However, in people with rheumatoid arthritis some B-cells produce harmful ‘autoantibodies’, such as rheumatoid factors. The purpose of rituximab is to remove these B-cells. Rituximab also removes B-cells which make useful antibodies, but these return after some months.
Related Questions
- My ITP patients have had good responses to rituximab when used as a second- or third- line therapy. Are there data to support using rituximab as a first line treatment of ITP?
- Should rituximab be used before or after splenectomy in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura?
- Is rituximab effective for the kidney disease aspect of APS?
