Rituximab: The Monoclonal Antibody for Cancer and Autoimmune Disorders
What is Rituximab?
Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat cancer, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), as well as autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Rituximab works by targeting CD20+ B-cells, which are involved in both the immune response and cancer cell growth.
How Rituximab Works
Rituximab binds to the CD20 protein on B-cells, which causes cell destruction either through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC), or apoptosis (cell death). By depleting these B-cells, it helps manage both cancer and autoimmune diseases.
When to Use Rituximab
● Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Rituximab is used to treat B-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects white blood cells.
● Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): It is also effective in treating CLL, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
● Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rituximab is used in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, when other treatments do not work.
Dosage
● Adult Dose for Lymphoma: The typical dose is 375 mg/m² intravenously once a week for up to 8 doses.
● Adult Dose for RA: Typically, 1000 mg intravenously on days 1 and 15, followed by a second dose in 6 months if necessary.
Side Effects
● Common Effects: Fever, chills, nausea, and fatigue.
● Serious Adverse Effects: Infections, infusion reactions, and tumor lysis syndrome (destruction of cancer cells causing acute kidney injury).
Common brands: Reditux, Maball.