Rituximab induces remission in Wegener granulomatosis

According to the results of a small study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, rituximab (Rituxan) is well tolerated and effective in inducing remission in severe Wegener granulomatosis. Wegener granulomatosis is a disorder in which inflammatory lesions (granulomas) form in tissues throughout the body, primarily in the lungs, kidneys, and small blood vessels. Given the potential role of B cells in Wegener granulomatosis, their depletion has been proposed as a treatment for the disorder. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds and depletes B cells. The research was published in the January 13, 2006, issue of American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.