Rituximab (RTX)

Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20, which is primarily found on the surface of immune system B cells. Rituximab destroys B cells and is therefore used to treat diseases which are characterized by excessive numbers of B cells, overactive B cells, or dysfunctional B cells. This includes many lymphomas, leukemias, transplant rejection, and autoimmune disorders. Rituximab destroys both normal and malignant B cells that have CD20 on their surfaces, and is therefore used to treat diseases which are characterized by having too many B cells, overactive B cells, or dysfunctional B cells. Rituximab is used to treat cancers of the white blood system such as leukemias and lymphomas, including Hodgkin's lymphoma and its lymphocyte predominant subtype. Rituximab is now being used off-label in the management of kidney transplant recipients.