title: [Rituximab for the treatment of ANCA associated vasculitis: the future today?].
abstract: Since cyclophosphamide was introduced for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis, the mortality of these diseases has decreased considerably. However, such treatment is related to acute and chronic serious adverse effects, which contribute to the morbidity and mortality of such diseases. Therefore, one of the main challenges in the treatment of such conditions is to find newer and effective therapies with a safer profile. Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody stands at the top of new options for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis, and is the strongest candidate to establish itself as a first choice therapeutic agent. Here, we review the rationale of RTX treatment in ANCA-associated small vessel vasculitis, and the current evidence of both its efficacy and toxicity.
authors: Unidad de investigación en Vasculitis, Servicio de Enfermedades Autoinmunes Sistémicas, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, España.
authors: Marco A
authors: MA
authors: Alba
authors: Luis F
authors: LF
authors: Flores-Suárez
mesh_terms: D056648:Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001691:Biological Therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006099:Granuloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D060828:Induction Chemotherapy; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D060046:Maintenance Chemotherapy; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D003520:Cyclophosphamide