RITUXIMAB- MABTHERA - NEW APROACH IN RHEUMAOID ARTHRITIS TREATMENT

<p>Rituximab is a human/mouse chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the CD20 surface antigen expressed on the cell surface of all preplasma cell stages of B-cell differentiation. By binding to CD20, rituximab causes selective B-cell depletion through antibody-dependent and complement-dependent cell lysis and apoptosis. B-cell depletion is believed to disrupt the many B-cell functions that contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of RTX an anti-CD20 B cell depleting monoclonal antibody in combination with methotrexate (MTX),in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who experienced an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonists and had active disease despite ongoing treatment with MTX and a TNF inhibitor. ACR responses in RTX treated patients were superior to placebo. The primary end point was the proportion of patients in each group that achieved an ACR20 response at Week 24. Secondary endpoints included ACR50 and ACR70 responses, changes in Disease Activity Score (DAS28), and EULAR response</p>