title: Off-label uses of rituximab in dermatology.
abstract: Since its approval in 1997 by the FDA, rituximab has been approved for use in certain B-cell lymphomas and treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis. Over the past 10 years, many case reports have indicated rituximab's efficacy in a number of inflammatory conditions in dermatology. This article includes a review of the mechanism of action, dosing, and side effect profile, as well as a review of the current literature on off-label uses of the CD20(+) B-cell antagonist rituximab.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45408-1445, USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Heffernan
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069283:Rituximab; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000069283:Rituximab