title: An overview of the current clinical use of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab.
abstract: The chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab has become part of the standard therapy for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). To date, more than 300 000 patients have been treated with rituximab worldwide, including patients with indolent and aggressive NHL, Hodgkin's disease and other B-cell malignancies. Combination of rituximab with cytotoxic agents or cytokines has been explored in a number of different studies. Rituximab is now also approved for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma when combined with standard CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone). The monoclonal antibody is generally well tolerated. Most adverse events are infusion-associated, including chills, fever and rigor related to the release of cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Clinic I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boye
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Elter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Engert
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D023341:Chills / Q000139:chemically induced; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020522:Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone