The significance of serum anti- rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) antibodies in treatment response of patients with B- cells malignancy

Abstract

Background: The chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, is an effective therapeutic agent used for treating patients with B- cell disorders, however there is a significant variation in therapy response among patients and relapse is common. Furthermore, it is unclear why a class of patients is initially not responding and other responding become refractory and later resistant to further treatment.

Aim: To study the significance of serum anti- rituximab antibodies in the patients initially responding to the treatment and became refractory and resistant to the treatment.