title: [B cell therapy of rheumatoid arthritis with rituximab. Practice-relevant aspects for the routine].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  B cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of various rheumatic autoimmune diseases and have therefore become an important therapeutic target. Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody that induces a nearly complete, transient depletion of peripheral CD20-positive B cells. In 2006 rituximab received approval for use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in 2013 for patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this review various clinically relevant aspects of B cell therapy in RA patients are discussed, including its role in the therapeutic algorithm as well as data on long-term efficacy and safety.
authors: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II: Rheumatologie/Klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland, schmalzing_m@ukw.de.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Schmalzing
authors: H-P
authors: HP
authors: Tony
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab