New Drugs in MRCP- Rituximab
I am going to talk about another –ximab drug today-Rituximab. If you are currently working in a haematology unit, Rituximab is not a stranger to you because I think haematologists are the ones who use this drug most.
As Infliximab, Rituximab ( Trade name: Rituxan) is also a chimeric monoclonal antibody , it was first approved in 1997 for the treatment of lymphoma and it has become a standard treatment for aggressive lymphoma. As you might remember during your medical time that CHOP is the standard treatment for lymphoma but currently the treatment of choice it is R-CHOP! (CHOP stands for Cytoxan, Hydroxyrubicin (Adriamycin), Oncovin (Vincristine), Prednisone/Prednisolone.)
Besides lymphoma, remember that Rituximab is also useful for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune haemolysis, idiopathic thrombocytopaenia purpura, Evans syndrome and SLE ( Systemic Lupus Erythematosis). Rituximab is a unique therapy that works selectively by depleting CD20+ B cells.
The side effects of Rituximab is quite similar to Infliximab.
Check out more about this drug HERE!
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