title: B cell depletion therapy in systemic rheumatic diseases: different strokes for different folks?
abstract: Autoantibodies have, until recently, been the overriding focus of investigators of autoantibody-associated diseases. Increasing attention is now being paid to B cells, which not only are the producers of autoantibodies but also contribute to autoimmune disease via autoantibody-independent mechanisms. Therapeutic measures that target B cells for depletion are gaining in popularity. In this review, we will focus on two distinct approaches of depleting B cells; one employing a direct-kill approach by engagement of B cell surface CD20 with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab), and the other employing an indirect starvation approach by neutralization of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), a potent B cell survival factor. Among the systemic immune-based rheumatic disorders, we will focus on rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, two disorders for which therapeutic B cell targeting is being intensely investigated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2011 Zonal Avenue HMR 711, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. stohl@usc.edu
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stohl
authors.forename: R John
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Looney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic