Rituximab: Effects, Areas of Application, Side Effects

How rituximab works Rituximab is a therapeutic antibody (therapeutic immunoglobulin). Antibodies are proteins (proteins) that are naturally produced in the body and are designed to recognize foreign or harmful proteins (for example, from parasites, bacteria and viruses) and render them harmless. Antibodies are produced by B cells (also called B lymphocytes). These are a type … Rituximab: Effects, Areas of Application, Side Effects

Rituximab

Products Rituximab is commercially available as a concentrate for the preparation of an infusion solution and as a solution for subcutaneous injection (MabThera, MabThera subcutaneous). It has been approved in many countries and in the United States since 1997 and in the EU since 1998. Biosimilars are available in some countries, including many (2018, Rixathon, … Rituximab

Obinutuzumab

Products Obinutuzumab is commercially available as a concentrate for the preparation of an infusion solution (Gazyvaro). It has been approved in many countries since 2014. Structure and properties Obinutuzumab is a recombinant, monoclonal, and humanized type II antibody against CD20 of the IgG1 isotype. It has a molecular weight of approximately 150 kDa. Obinutuzumab is … Obinutuzumab

Ocrelizumab

Products Ocrelizumab was approved in many countries and in the United States in 2017 and in the EU in 2018 as an infusion concentrate (Ocrevus). Structure and properties Ocrelizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody with a molecular mass of 145 kDa. It is produced by biotechnological methods. Ocrelizumab is the successor agent to rituximab … Ocrelizumab

Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes and Treatment

Symptoms Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory and systemic joint disease. It manifests as pain, symmetrically tense, achy, warm, and swollen joints, swelling, and morning stiffness that lasts for more than an hour. Initially, the hands, wrists, and feet are most affected, but later numerous other joints are also affected. Over time, deformities and rheumatoid … Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes and Treatment

Sjögren’s Syndrome: Causes and Treatment

Symptoms The two leading symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome (pronounced “Schögren”) are dry mouth and dry eyes with associated symptoms such as conjunctivitis, difficulty swallowing and speaking, gingivitis, and tooth decay. The nose, throat, skin, lips and vagina are also frequently dry. In addition, many other organs may be affected less frequently and include muscle and … Sjögren’s Syndrome: Causes and Treatment

Ofatumumab

Products Ofatumumab was approved in 2009 as a concentrate for the preparation of an infusion solution for leukemia treatment (Arzerra). In 2020, a solution for injection was approved in the United States for MS treatment (Kesimpta). Structure and properties Ofatumumab is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody produced by biotechnological methods. It has a molecular mass … Ofatumumab

Monoclonal Antibodies

Products The first therapeutic monoclonal antibody was approved in 1986. Muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone OKT3) binds to the CD3 receptor on T cells and has been used in transplantation medicine. Numerous drugs containing antibodies are now available. A selection of active substances can be found at the end of this article. These are expensive drugs. For example, … Monoclonal Antibodies

Idelalisib

Products Idelalisib was approved in many countries in 2015 in film-coated tablet form (Zydelig). Structure and properties Idelalisib (C22H18FN7O, Mr = 415.4 g/mol) exists as a white powder that is soluble in acidic environments. Effects Idelalisib (ATC L01XX47) has antiproliferative, selective cytotoxic, and antitumor properties. The effects are due to inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p110δ. … Idelalisib

Immunosuppressants

Products Immunosuppressants are commercially available in numerous dosage forms, for example, as creams, ointments, tablets, capsules, solutions, eye drops, and injectables. Structure and properties Within immunosuppressants, several groups can be identified. These include steroids such as the glucocorticoids, substances of microbiological origin such as ciclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil, derivatives of nucleic acids and their components … Immunosuppressants

Biosimilars

Products Biosimilars are copycat preparations of biotechnology-derived drugs (biologics) that have strong similarities to the originator drugs but that are not exactly the same. The similarity relates to biological activity, structure, function, purity and safety, among other things. Biosimilars differ from generics of small molecule drugs in important ways. Biosimilars are usually marketed as injection … Biosimilars

Rituximab: Effects, Uses & Risks

Rituximab is a drug in the cytostatic drug class. It is a monoclonal antibody used primarily in the treatment of malignant lymphoma. What is rituximab? Rituximab was developed in the 1990s by Lee Nadler at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It was the first antibody approved for the treatment of cancer worldwide. In the EU, rituximab is … Rituximab: Effects, Uses & Risks