At the American College of Rheumatology Congress, reassuring information was released on repeat treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by MabThera or Rituxan (rituxmab). Further improvement of quality of life was achieved by a second course of rituximab.

Professor Keystone, University of Toronto, Canada said, “With further analyses, we are able to evaluate just what MabThera can deliver with subsequent treatment courses for patients who have an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF(Tumour Necrotic Factor) inhibitors. Patients are telling us they feel better and their quality of like has improved significantly. This is supported by clinical outcomes.”

156 patients who had poor response to Tumour Necrotic Factor inhibitors were given MabThera. The second course showed further improvement of rheumatoid activity and remission.

Rituximab is a monoclonal antiboby that specifically acts on B-cells. B-cells are important in the inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rituximab was approved by the FDA in 1997 for the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Adverse effects were reported to be fever, nausea, headache, weakness and chills.

There has been reports of serious side effects on infusion treatment with this drug. The manufacturer, Genentech Inc. reported 70 cases of serious infusion reactions in 12,000 to 14,000 patients on rituximab.

Dr. Phil Hariram.

Arthritis Guide.