title: The rationale for B lymphocyte depletion in Graves' disease. Monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody therapy as a novel treatment option.
abstract: We have reviewed the immunology of thyroid autoimmunity with special reference to the importance of B lymphocytes (B cells) in thyroidal and extrathyroidal Graves' disease (GD), thus providing a framework for the hypothesis that B cell depletion may be beneficial in GD. Additionally, after reviewing the efficacy and safety in other autoimmune diseases, we propose that treatment with the B cell-depleting agent Rituximab may become a clinically relevant treatment option in selected cases of GD, particularly when complicated with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. fassi@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: El Fassi
authors.forename: Claus H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Hans C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hasselbalch
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hegedüs
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000379:methods*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018951:Antigens, CD20