title: Rituximab and its use in autoimmune bullous disorders.
abstract: Rituximab is a chimeric, murine-human, monoclonal antibody against the CD20 antigen of B lymphocytes. It has been used off-label to treat and manage autoimmune and dermatologic diseases as an alternative or adjuvant therapy to systemic treatments. Due to cost, potential complications, and lack of data rituximab is used after standard systemic therapies have failed or the patient is absolutely contraindicated for corticosteroids. More research is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, St George Hospital, Gray Street, Kogarah, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia.
authors.forename: Benjamin S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: Dédée F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Murrell
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Joly
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000187:drug effects; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D000069283:Rituximab; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab