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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis
Published on: May 4, 2017
[Rituximab and autoimmune disorders therapy]
1Service de médecine interne, institut mutualiste-Montsouris, 42 boulevard Jourdan, 75014 Paris, France. laurent.quint@imm.fr
Introduction:
B lymphocytes play a central role in pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. This suggests that therapies directed against B lymphocytes may be effective for the treatment of human autoimmune mediated disease.
Exegesis:
Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen expressed on most B cells and is used to treat B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma. Rituximab is highly effective in depleting B lymphocytes in vivo. Such treatment could presumably eliminate B cells producing autoantibodies. Main mechanisms of action of Rituximab are discussed with implication in the management of autoimmune diseases.
Conclusion:
Use of Rituximab for autoimmune disorders therapy is attractive because of its effect on B lymphocytes. However, therapeutics indications have to be adapted to the inherent differences in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases to assess efficiency.
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