title: B-cell depletion in autoimmune diseases. Advances in autoimmunity.
abstract: B cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of the autoimmune diseases. New advances in biological therapy provided a correct way in the management of these pathologies. Depletion of B cells with monoclonal antibodies reach an important place in the control of the diseases. I will present our experience with rituximab in the treatment of 131 patients with different autoimmune conditions, and conclude that this kind of therapy is safe, effective and constitutes a big step in the control of the majority of patients in which humoral response were aberrant. It is one of the many avenues that will allow to have a better future in the assessment and treatment of autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Saludcoop Clinic, Bogota, Colombia. renatoguzman@cable.net.co
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guzman Moreno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D000069283:Rituximab; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab