title: Rituximab, an anti-cd20 monoclonal antibody: history and mechanism of action.
abstract: Rituximab, chimeric anti-human CD20, is approved for treatment of B-cell lymphoma in adults. It is being used experimentally in other various immune-related diseases such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis and rheumatoid arthritis. In transplant recipients, it is used for treatment of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, to anecdotally reduce pre-formed anti-HLA and anti-ABO antibodies and for the prevention and treatment of acute rejection. This article primarily reviews the science behind rituximab: its history, pharmacokinetics and potential mechanism of action. A need for controlled clinical trials is clearly indicated before the widespread use of this drug in transplant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA. mpescov@iupui.edu
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pescovitz
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069283:Rituximab; D014181:Transplantation Immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab