Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Rheumatoid Arthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

How does B cell depletion therapy work, and how can it be improved?

Clark EA, Ledbetter JA

Department of Immunology and National Primate Research Center, Box 357330, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. eclark@bart.rprc.washington.edu

The past few years have seen a surge of interest in B cell depletion therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This paper outlines the possible mechanism(s) by which B cell depletion therapy works. It is likely there is more than one mechanism and the relative importance of each mechanism depends on the target cell. These include CD20-induced apoptosis, complement dependent cytotoxicity, antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and selective targeting and depletion of B cell subsets. The implications of these mechanisms in the further improvement of B cell depletion therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are discussed.

Published 21 October 2005 in Ann Rheum Dis, 64: iv77-80.
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