RESEARCH - Long term treatment of RA with rituximab

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Autoimmun Rev. 2009 Feb 10.

Long Term Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Rituximab.

Caporali R, Caprioli M, Bobbio-Pallavicini F, Bugatti S, Montecucco C.

Rheumatology Dept, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, University of Pavia,

Pavia, Italy.

B cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid

arthritis (RA). Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that

depletes B-cells by binding to the CD20 surface antigen that has been

approved for the treatment of RA. Its efficacy has been clearly

demonstrated by different clinical trials and, recently, in long-term

observational studies. The use of rituximab in clinical practice has

highlighted its efficacy and safety over more than 5 years of

treatment, as well as to try to understand the timing for retreatment

of patients relapsing after a good initial response.

PMID: 19393205

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19393205

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