Effective B cell depletion with rituximab in the treatment of autoimmune diseases
C Kneitz, M Wilhelm, HP Tony - Immunobiology, 2002 - Elsevier
In a pilot study four patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and autoimmune
thrombocytopenia (ITP) were treated with rituximab, a Bcell depleting chimeric
human/mouse anti-CD20 antibody. Treatment could be performed without serious side
effects and resulted in a depletion of B cells from the peripheral blood for at least 4 months.
Examination of one patient three months after treatment revealed a complete depletion of B
cells in the bone marrow and in the spleen as well. The time point when peripheral B cells …
thrombocytopenia (ITP) were treated with rituximab, a Bcell depleting chimeric
human/mouse anti-CD20 antibody. Treatment could be performed without serious side
effects and resulted in a depletion of B cells from the peripheral blood for at least 4 months.
Examination of one patient three months after treatment revealed a complete depletion of B
cells in the bone marrow and in the spleen as well. The time point when peripheral B cells …
