[Rituximab for the treatment of ANCA associated vasculitis: the future today?].

Abstract

Since cyclophosphamide was introduced for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis, the mortality of these diseases has decreased considerably. However, such treatment is related to acute and chronic serious adverse effects, which contribute to the morbidity and mortality of such diseases. Therefore, one of the main challenges in the treatment of such conditions is to find newer and effective therapies with a safer profile. Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody stands at the top of new options for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis, and is the strongest candidate to establish itself as a first choice therapeutic agent. Here, we review the rationale of RTX treatment in ANCA-associated small vessel vasculitis, and the current evidence of both its efficacy and toxicity.

• Authors: Marco A Alba, Luis F Flores-Suárez
• Journal: Reumatologia clinica (Reumatol Clin) Vol. 7 Suppl 3 Pg. S41-6 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1885-1398 [Electronic] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Rituximab en el tratamiento de las vasculitis asociadas a ANCA: ¿el futuro hoy?
• PMID: 22115869 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antigens, CD20
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Rituximab
• Cyclophosphamide

Topics

• Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis (drug therapy)
• Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic (biosynthesis, immunology)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antigens, CD20 (immunology)
• B-Lymphocytes (drug effects, immunology)
• Biological Therapy
• Cohort Studies
• Cyclophosphamide (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Disease Susceptibility
• Drug Resistance
• Granuloma (drug therapy, etiology)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Induction Chemotherapy
• Infections (etiology)
• Maintenance Chemotherapy
• Multicenter Studies as Topic
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Rituximab