title: Consensus statement on the use of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: A large number of experts experienced in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were involved in formulating a consensus statement on the use of B cell-targeted treatment with rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The statement was supported by data from randomised controlled clinical trials and the substantial literature on oncology. The statement underwent three rounds of discussions until its ultimate formulation. It should guide clinicians in the use of this newly approved biological agent in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. josef.smolen@wienkav.at
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Smolen
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Keystone
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Emery
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Breedveld
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Betteridge
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Burmester
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dougados
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferraccioli
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jaeger
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klareskog
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kvien
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martin-Mola
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pavelka
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab