B cells also produce certain proteins that can promote inflammation. Based on these results, the Food and Drug Administration in April 2011 approved rituximab in combination with steroids for the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. However, these clinical trials were not successful. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Rituxan is administered via an intravenous infusion.The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. By recruiting natural killer cells, yet another type of white blood cell, and possibly macrophages, Rituxan is thought to bring about a process that causes B-cell death by lysis or bursting.Complement-dependent cytotoxicity is also thought to be a mechanism via which Rituxan is able to destroy B-cells. “In addition, we welcome the use of TrialShare to share data derived from publicly funded research to increase transparency, facilitate collaboration among scientists and accelerate the pace of discovery.”Rituximab depletes the body’s supply of cells thought to be responsible for ANCA production. ANCA Vasculitis News  is strictly a news and information website about the disease. Rituxan is not indicated in children less than 2 years of age with GPA or MPA or in children with conditions other than GPA or MPA. We never use your cookies for creepy ad retargeting that follows you around the web. Rituximab was first introduced to vasculitis therapy for patients whose condition was refractory to or intolerant of standard agents and had persisting ANCA positivity on the rationale that ANCA contributed to pathogenesis and a B cell–targeted therapy would reduce ANCA levels (8, 9).

If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. NIH-funded study finds that rituximab is as effective as standard therapy, requires shorter treatment duration. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at U Specks et al. Be the first to rate this post. There is no known cause or cure for vasculitis. “Reducing the need for immunosuppressive drugs is of great benefit to the patient, lessening the risk of possible serious long-term side effects such as cancer, infertility and infection.”For the 101 people who entered the trial with relapsing disease, rituximab was initially more effective than standard therapy at inducing and maintaining remission. After 12 months, 49 percent of those who received rituximab remained free of disease activity, compared to 24 percent of those given standard therapy. ANCA Vasculitis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. Studies suggest that Rituxan may recruit macrophages, which are also a type of white blood cell, to ‘eat’ the B-cells via a process called antibody-dependent phagocytosis. Rituxan may have a role for certain individuals with lupus, and further clinical research is being pursued. Select one or more newsletters to continue. However, as is often the case with biologics (therapies that need to be produced in part by living cells, such as antibodies), Rituxan is more expensive than azathioprine. Rituximab belongs to a group of cancer drugs known as monoclonal antibodies. It is thought that Rituxan may somehow sensitize cancer cells to the effects of other chemotherapy drugs.Rituxan depletes B-cells, which can cause swelling and joint damage in people with autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis.