title: [Rituximab (MabThera) as treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: Rituximab (RTX) is a murine/human monoclonal antibody to CD20, a protein expressed almost exclusively on human B-lymphocytes. RTX induces rapid and marked B-cell depletion with beneficial clinical effects in 1/3 to 1/2 of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Treatment is given as two iv. infusions with a two-week interval and in combination with methotrexate. Mild to moderate side-effects are frequent, particularly during the first infusion, but long-term side-effects are generally rare, although pulmonary events and reactivation of viral infections of the liver is of concern.
authors.affiliation: H:S Rigshospitalet, Institut for Inflammationsforskning, Finsencentret, og Odense Universitetshospital, Endokrinologisk Afdeling M.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: El Fassi
authors.forename: Claus Henrik
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bendtzen
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab