title: Rituximab: a B-cell depletion therapy for dermatologic disease.
abstract: Rituximab (Rituxan, Genentech/ Biogen Idec) is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody directed against CD20, a B lymphocyte-specific antigen. Initially approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory low-grade or follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), rituximab has been increasingly used to treat a variety of immune-mediated and autoimmune diseases. While anecdotal case reports recommend its "off-label" use in dermatology, randomized clinical trials are required to firmly establish the safety and efficacy of this emerging biologic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prajapati
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Mydlarski
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000379:methods*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069283:Rituximab; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab