title: B cell depletion therapy in rheumatic disease.
abstract: B cell depletion therapy was introduced for auto-antibody associated rheumatic disease in 1998. Encouraging pilot studies in rheumatoid arthritis were followed by randomised controlled trials confirming major benefit. Licensing for use in patients unable to benefit from tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) neutralising agents is envisaged shortly. Open studies in other disorders, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have also suggested benefit and its use in life-threatening situations is becoming widespread. Toxicity appears to compare favourably with other agents, but respiratory problems may be more common. Repeated therapy is effective, but may lead to hypogammaglobulinemia. Rituximab is currently the main agent used but other agents are in development. Optimal protocols are not well characterised and will probably be different for different conditions.
authors.affiliation: University College London, Centre for Rheumatology, Arthur Stanley House, 40-50 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4NJ, UK. jo.edwards@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: J C W
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cambridge
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Leandro
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab