title: Rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: (1) Rituximab (RTX), a monoclonal antibody, selectively targets CD20+ B-cells that are implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). (2) The use of RTX with methotrexate (MTX) results in statistically significant clinical improvements among RA patients who have an inadequate response to standard therapies, when compared to the use of MTX alone. (3) The optimal dose, duration of treatment or retreatment, long-term efficacy and safety, and placement of RTX in RA treatment algorithms need to be further investigated. (4) Health Canada has approved the combination of RTX with MTX for use in adult patients with moderate to severe active RA, who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to >1 tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapies.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palylyk-Colwell
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGahan
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002170:Canada; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D017277:Drug Approval; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate