No abstract available.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; B-Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Rituximab

Sensitized patients have a reduced chance of receiving a crossmath-negative organ, because of the presence of antibodies against a variety of human leukocyte antigen (HLA). There have been much attention and understanding on renal transplantation in sensitized patients, which led to attempts to remove alloantibodies and successful transplantation. Therefore, a positive crossmatch test and the presence of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies are no longer a contraindication to renal transplantation. These desensitization protocols include intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis (PP), and rituximab. IVIG therapy is performed in two forms, high dose IVIG and low dose IVIG in combination with PP. Rituximab is usually utilized in combination with IVIG therapy. Here we summarized the characterisitics of these strategies.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Isoantibodies ; Kidney Transplantation ; Leukocytes ; Plasmapheresis ; Rituximab ; Transplants

The clinical manifestations of antisynthetase syndrome are severe interstitial pneumonitis, mild polyarthritis, and myositis. This disease is accompanied by anti-Jo-1 antibodies and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and occasionally by the concurrence of anti-Jo-1 and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, which leads to a more severe form of interstitial lung disease. In this case, the patient was transferred to our hospital because of pulmonary fibrosis with myositis and diagnosed with antisynthetase syndrome and the concurrence of anti-Jo-1 with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. He was refractory to glucocorticoids, and developed leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. He was treated with rituximab infusions, but the interstitial pneumonitis progressed very rapidly and he died.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Arthritis ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Myositis ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Rituximab ; Thrombocytopenia

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness, safety as well as the immunological change (peripheral T cell subpopulation) in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) treated with lower dose rituximab.

METHODSTwenty-six patients with refractory ITP which were unresponsive to or relapse after steriod and IVIG treatment were treated with rituximab (100 mg per week for four weeks) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Whole blood cell count, serum concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA, platelet associated (PA)-IgG, PAIgA and PAIgM, peripheral T cell subpopulations, and B cells of CD19(+)/CD20(+) were detected before and after rituximab therapy.

RESULTSComplete response (CR) was achieved in 6 patients (23.1%), response (R) in 10 (38.5%), and non-response (NR) in 10 (38.5%). One patient relapsed after R. The median follow-up time was 5.5 (0.8 - 8) months. The median response and CR time were 27 (1 - 104) and 41 (4 - 109) days, respectively. After the therapy, the serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, T cells of CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD3(-)CD56(+), CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) were not changed, the number of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(-) T cells decreased (P < 0.05) and CD19(+)CD20(+) B cells significantly decreased (P < 0.01). PAIgG was lower after treatment compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). There were no severe adverse effects during rituximab therapy.

CONCLUSIONLower dose rituximab may be an effective and safe modality for patients with ITP.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; therapy ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Rituximab

Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Humans ; Rituximab ; Thrombocytopenia ; gamma-Globulins

Many studies have recently reported reactivation in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative subjects with the use of biologic agents such as rituximab. However, occult hepatitis B virus infection itself has little clinical impact. We experienced a case of acute exacerbation caused by occult hepatitis B infection without HBsAg seroconversion. No mutation was found on the major hydrophilic loop of the S protein. The patient recovered from acute exacerbation after antiviral therapy. In conclusion, acute exacerbation can be induced by occult hepatitis B virus infection itself without reactivation. In such a case, antiviral therapy should be considered.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Rituximab

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemophilia A ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Rituximab

Pemphigus is a life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and mucosa. Patients with severe pemphigus require long-term treatment with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs, which can lead to serious adverse events. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen of B lymphocytes, has been demonstrated to be effective in recalcitrant and life-threatening pemphigus.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antigens, CD20 ; immunology ; Humans ; Pemphigus ; therapy ; Rituximab

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; therapy ; Rituximab