title: [B-cell depletion in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: New strategies including the blockade of TNFalpha showed excellent therapeutic effects even in so far refractory rheumatic diseases. Moreover, these approaches provided us with important informations about the pathogenic role of the mediators involved and distinct autoimmune cellular subsets. Here, we discuss recent data of a temporary B cell depletion using a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody in the therapeutic arsenal of rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Charité Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany. eugen.feist@charite.de
authors.forename: Eugen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Feist
authors.forename: Gerd-R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Burmester
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dörner
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D000069283:Rituximab; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069283:Rituximab