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The Sound of Evolution
Rituximab
Mechanism of action:
Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 IgG1 monoclonal antibody. CD20 is mainly distributed on mature B cells and most B-cell lymphomas. After rituximab binds to these cells, the Fc region of the antibody can activate the complement system and form the membrane attack complex, leading to membrane damage and lysis of B-cell lymphoma cells.
Reference(s):
1. McLaughlin P et al. (1998). Rituximab chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy for relapsed indolent lymphoma: half of patients respond to a four-dose treatment program. J Clin Oncol.
2. Edwards JC et al. (2004). Efficacy of B-cell-targeted therapy with rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med.
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