MabThera (rituximab)

MabThera is the first therapeutic monoclonal antibody to target cells that have the CD20 marker on their surface. These cells are central to many blood cancers, including common forms of lymphoma and leukaemia. MabThera attacks these cells both directly and together with the body’s immune system.1

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation that leads to stiff, swollen and painful joints. This ultimately results in irreversible joint damage and disability. MabThera selectively targets B-cells and represents a new highly effective therapeutic approach for RA in addition to existing treatments such as DMARDs and TNF-inhibitors.2

In Bangladesh MabThera is approved for the following indications.3

MabThera IV/SC is indicated for the treatment of:

• adult patients with relapsed or chemoresistant low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

• previously untreated adult patients with stage III-IV follicular lymphoma in combination with chemotherapy.

• adult patients with follicular lymphoma as maintenance treatment, after response to induction therapy.

• adult patients with CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in combination with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) chemotherapy.

MabThera IV in combination with chemotherapy is indicated for the treatment of:

• Pediatric patients (aged ≥ 6 months to < 18 years old) with previously untreated advanced stage CD20 positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Burkitt lymphoma (BL)/Burkitt leukemia (mature B-cell acute leukaemia) (BAL) or Burkitt-like lymphoma (BLL).

MabThera IV/SC in combination with chemotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with previously untreated and relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) .

MabThera IV in combination with methotrexate is indicated in adult patients for:

• the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis when the response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs including methotrexate has been inadequate.

• treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in patients with an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapies.

MabThera IV has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X-ray, to improve physical function and to induce major clinical response, when given in combination with methotrexate.

MabThera IV in combination with glucocorticoids is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with severe active granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, also known as Wegener's granulomatosis) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) (see section 3.1.2 Clinical/Efficacy Trials).

MabThera IV in combination with glucocorticoids is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients (aged ≥ 2 to < 18 years old) with active GPA and MPA.

MabThera IV is indicated for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris (PV).

For more disease and medicine related queries you may discuss with your physician.

In Bangladesh MabThera is available as

IV

• Vial of 100 mg/10 ml

• Vial of 500 mg/50 ml

SC

• Vial of 1400 mg/11.7 ml

References

1. Global Website: Products - MabThera®/Rituxan® (rituximab). [Internet; cited 2018, November 08]. Retrieved from

2. Global Website: Investors. MabThera inhibits the destruction of joints in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. (2008, December 19). [Internet; cited 2018, November 25]. Retrieved from https://www.roche.com/investors/updates/inv-update-2008-12-19.htm

3. MabThera-Product-Information-BD-Ro-045-2294-August-2022