Rituximab hypersensitivity and desensitization

Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody with wide use in cancer (lymphoma) and connective tissue diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis).1 Hypersensitivity reactions to rituximab can range from type I immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reaction (urticaria, shortness of breath, hypotension, or anaphylaxis) to cytokine-mediated reaction (fevers, chills, rigors) or a mix of both, thus limiting the use of rituximab as first-line therapy for many cases. Desensitization is a new therapeutic approach that can be performed with rituximab to offset these reactions.
Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Challenging Clinical Cases Source Type: research