Rituximab is an anti-CD20 chimeric mAb effective for the treatment of B-NHL. It can lyse lymphoma cells in vitro through both C- and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The mechanism of action of rituximab in vivo is however still unclear. We have set up a new in vivo model in nonimmunodeficient mice by stable transduction of the human CD20 cDNA in the murine lymphoma line EL4. Animals injected...

ownloade short circulating half-life and side effects of IFNα affect its dosing schedule and efficacy. Fusion of IFNα mor-targeting monoclonal antibody (MAb-IFNα) can enhance potency due to increased tumor localiand improved pharmacokinetics. We report the generation and characterization of the first bispecific FNα, designated 20-C2-2b, which comprises two copies of IFNα2b and a stabilized F(ab...

Growing evidence indicates that the affinity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for CD16 (FcgammaRIII) plays a central role in the ability of the mAb to mediate antitumor activity. We evaluated how CD16 polymorphisms, and mAb with modified affinity for target antigen and CD16, affect natural killer (NK) cell phenotype when CD20(+) malignant B cells were also present. The mAb consisted of rituximab...

Rituximab has markedly changed the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Despite its widespread use, however, its precise mode of action and the impact of host- and tumor-related factors on rituximab-activated biological pathways were only recently clarified. Biological mechanisms resulting in complete resistance to rituximab may exist at both the cellular and subcellular level; however, their freq...

Therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has progressed significantly over the last decades. However, the majority of patients remain incurable, and novel therapies are needed. Because immunotherapy ideally offers target selectivity, an ever increasing number of immunotherapies, both passive and active, are undergoing development. The champion of passive immunotherapy to date is the anti-CD20 monoclo...

Autoimmune hepatitis is a severe liver disease in which ∼10% of patients do not respond to standard treatment. We describe a new rescue therapy using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (rituximab). Complete remission was obtained and maintained by using low doses of immunosuppressive drugs with repeated anti-CD20 infusions. Pediatrics 2013;132:e526–e530 AUTHORS: Daniel D’Agostino, MD,a Alejandro C...

This article will review the monoclonal antibodies more commonly used in leukemias. In the last three decades, scientists have made considerable progress understanding the structure and the functions of various surface antigens, such as CD20, CD33. The introduction of rituximab, an anti CD20 monoclonal antibody, had a great impact in the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders. Gemtuzumab, a...

In vivo ablation of malignant B cells can be achieved using antibodies directed against the CD20 antigen. Fine specificity differences among CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are assumed not to be a factor in determining their efficacy because evidence from antibody-blocking studies indicates limited epitope diversity with only 2 overlapping extracellular CD20 epitopes. However, in this report ...