Prakt. Lékáren. 2015; 11(6e) [Klin Farmakol Farm. 2015;29(2):84-86]
Rituximab is the first registered monoclonal antibody in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. It binds to the surface of B-lymphocytesthat have CD20 antigen on the surface. It was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1997 for the treatmentof relapsing or refractory follicular lymphoma. The results of further investigations extended its indication to other specialities suchas rheumatology and nephrology. Its introduction in the practice represented a turning point in the treatment and changed the patients’fate, particularly due to its minimal toxicity and higher effect specificity. Targeted monoclonal antibody therapy has now becomea regular (standard) part of medical practice in a variety of diseases.
Published: September 1, 2015 Show citation