title: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and their use in adult autoimmune hematological disorders.
abstract: Autoimmune hematological disorders encompass a broad group of hematological conditions characterized by the loss of self-tolerance to a variety of antigens. Despite good response to first-line therapy in the majority of patients, relapses are common, necessitating new and safe therapeutic options. The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab has led to substantial improvement in the treatment of malignant and immune-mediated disorders involving B cells. Although experience with rituximab in immune-mediated hematological disorders is rarely supported by randomized trials, there is now substantial experience with rituximab suggesting that anti-CD20 therapy is an effective and well-tolerated alternative to immunosuppressive therapy in these disorders. However, caution is needed based on recent reports describing-sometimes severe-rituximab-related complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. daan.dierickx@uzleuven.be
authors.forename: Daan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dierickx
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delannoy
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saja
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verhoef
authors.forename: Drew
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Provan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab