
doi: 10.1345/aph.1l386
pmid: 19193571
Objective: To evaluate the use of rituximab in the clinical management of steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Data Sources: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1990–September 2008), both indexed and nonindexed citations, using the terms rituximab, graft-versus-host disease, monoclonal antibodies, and CD20. In addition, reference citations from the publications identified were reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All articles discussing rituximab as a therapeutic option in the treatment of GVHD that were published in English and enrolled human study participants were evaluated. Data Synthesis: Rituximab is a genetically engineered chimeric murine monoclonal antibody that binds to the CD20 differentiation antigen found on B-lymphocytes. GVHD is the leading cause of procedural-related morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) occurs in up to 70% of individuals undergoing HSCT, and approximately 40% of those patients are refractory to conventional T-lymphocyte–directed therapies. Limited treatments are available for individuals with steroid-refractory cGVHD. Rituximab therapy in individuals with extensive cGVHD has demonstrated clinical efficacy with manageable toxicities in retrospective and prospective studies. Conclusions: Available data suggest that rituximab is a treatment option for patients with extensive steroid-refractory cGVHD. Rituximab may be particularly effective for individuals with steroid-refractory cGVHD manifesting as thrombocytopenia or with sclerodermatous, cutaneous, and rheumatologic involvement.
B-Lymphocytes, Clinical Trials as Topic, Transplantation Conditioning, Drug Resistance, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Graft vs Host Disease, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived, Chronic Disease, Humans, Steroids, Rituximab, Immunosuppressive Agents
B-Lymphocytes, Clinical Trials as Topic, Transplantation Conditioning, Drug Resistance, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Graft vs Host Disease, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived, Chronic Disease, Humans, Steroids, Rituximab, Immunosuppressive Agents
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 24 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
