Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

26
Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial...
26
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions01:01

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions

28
Type II hypersensitivity involves IgG and IgM antibodies targeting cell surface antigens, leading to cell destruction. This can occur through complement activation, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), or acting as opsonins for phagocytosis. When excessive, these reactions cause significant tissue damage.Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is a common example, where drugs like penicillin or cephalosporins bind to red blood cells, forming drug-protein complexes. These complexes...
28
Hypersensitivities01:30

Hypersensitivities

7.8K
Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
7.8K
Allergic Drug Reactions01:27

Allergic Drug Reactions

1.5K
Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing...
1.5K
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions01:19

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

25
Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum...
25
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions01:29

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

32
Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH), or Type IV hypersensitivity, is a cell-mediated immune response. It occurs when T cells, rather than antibodies, mediate a reaction to specific antigens. It is characterized by a delayed onset (1-2 days) and involves the recruitment of macrophages to the inflammation site.The initiation of a DTH response begins with the sensitization of T cells. During this phase, which lasts at least 1-2 weeks, antigen-specific T cells are activated, clonally expanded, and...
32

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Gene model for the ortholog of <i>slmb</i> in <i>Drosophila pseudoobscura</i>.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Standards for practical intravenous rapid drug desensitization & delabeling: A WAO committee statement.

The World Allergy Organization journal·2022
Same author

Lifetime Allergy Symptoms in IgG4-Related Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Arthritis care & research·2020
Same author

Practical Guidance for the Evaluation and Management of Drug Hypersensitivity: Specific Drugs.

The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice·2020
Same author

Electronic Consultations in Allergy/Immunology.

The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice·2019
Same author

Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in Zambian school children.

BMC cardiovascular disorders·2018

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 19, 2026

In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis
07:25

In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis

Published on: May 4, 2017

18.3K

Rituximab Hypersensitivity: Evaluation, Desensitization, and Potential Mechanisms.

Johnson T Wong1, Aidan Long1

  • 1Allergy & Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. in Practice
|November 11, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Patients with rituximab (Rituxan) hypersensitivity can be successfully desensitized using intravenous protocols. This approach allows continued treatment for lymphoma and other conditions, managing severe reactions effectively.

Keywords:
AutoimmuneDesensitizationHypersensitivityLymphomaMast cell disorderMultiple sclerosisReaction gradeRituximabSerum sickness

More Related Videos

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by Fc&#947;RIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies
09:54

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies

Published on: May 22, 2020

3.9K
Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency
10:22

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Published on: June 29, 2021

4.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 19, 2026

In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis
07:25

In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis

Published on: May 4, 2017

18.3K
Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by Fc&#947;RIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies
09:54

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies

Published on: May 22, 2020

3.9K
Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency
10:22

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Published on: June 29, 2021

4.0K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Rituximab (Rituxan) hypersensitivity reactions (RITS) can be severe, often precluding further treatment.
  • Understanding RITS patterns and desensitization protocols is crucial for managing patients requiring rituximab therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze patient characteristics, hypersensitivity patterns, and desensitization outcomes in RITS.
  • To optimize the management of rituximab hypersensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 25 patients with RITS referred to an Allergy/Immunology Unit.
  • Utilized 3 continuous intravenous desensitization protocols based on patient history and reactivity.
  • Analyzed clinical reaction patterns and desensitization success rates.

Main Results:

  • 23 of 25 patients had lymphoma; 170 desensitizations were performed with high success rates.
  • Average hypersensitivity reaction grade decreased significantly from 3.0 to 0.41 post-desensitization.
  • Skin test results were not reliable for risk stratification; elevated tryptase indicated reactions.

Conclusions:

  • Nearly all patients with severe rituximab hypersensitivity can be successfully desensitized.
  • IgE-mediated mechanisms, mast cell degranulation, cytokine release, and tumor lysis syndrome likely contribute to RITS.
  • Desensitization enables continued rituximab administration in challenging cases.