Rituximab

Side effects are always a possibility with any treatment.
Your doctor is the best one to advise you.

Rituximab is pronounced rye-TUX-im-ab.

In the USA it is made by Genentech and is known as Rituxan® www.rituxan.com

In England it is made by Roche and is known as Mabthera® www.mabthera.com

There may be other sources for rituximab.

Rituximab is the name given to a monoclonal antibody that has been available since 1997.

Rituximab was found to be effective in treating patients with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, its main use, however, it is now also being used in the treatment of Cold Agglutinin Disease. It is not the only method available for treating CAD (see Treatment Options) but rituximab has shown the most promise, thus far. It is not always successful and there can be serious side effects.

Medical Datasheet
Click here to download the Medical Datasheet for Mabthera

Roche Industries Mabthera site www.roche.co.nz/products/medicine/20

Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells and thereby interferes with the production of Cold Agglutinins. Since using rituximab, the reduction in the numbers of cold antibodies has caused a significant improvement in our hemoglobin levels of several people listed on our web site. These monoclonal antibodies, a new breed of drugs, are being used to treat previously hard to deal with diseases, as they have the ability to target a specific site. Because of their nature, these monoclonal antibodies are difficult and expensive to produce.

We suggest you try searching the web and our Links Page for articles regarding Rituximab and CAD
Additionally the following two articles should be read, as one provides hope while the other urges caution.

Severe Cold Hemagglutunin Disease (CHD same as CAD) Successfully Treated With Rituximab
www.bloodjournal.org/cgi/content/full/100/5/1922 September 1, 2002

FDA Warns of Safety Concern Regarding Rituxan in New Patient Population
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting health care professionals and patients treated with Rituxan (rituximab), to reports of an emerging risk of a serious side effect on patients who were treated with Rituxan for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01532.html

HAMA Test -- Human Anti-Murine (Mouse) Antibody Test
For those who have had an infusion reaction to Rituximab or other monoclonal antibodies given by infusion, this test can help determine whether one has developed antibodies against the murine (mouse) antibodies and is able to continue to receive additional infusions without incident.

Discuss with your medical professional.