A study published on June 17, 2004 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the drug Rituxan® (Rituximab) caused significant improvement in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

The study was done over the course of 48 weeks with 161 participants. The participants were randomly divided into four groups: the first would only be administered methotrexate, the second would receive rituximab, the third would be treated with rituximab and cyclophosphamide, and the last would take rituximab plus methotrexate.

After the period of 48 weeks elapsed, it was found that more than 40 percent of the patients who took rituximab in combination with another drug were greatly improved. Approximately one-third of those who took rituximab alone were also greatly improved compared to a mere 13 percent rate of improvement in those participants who took methotrexate alone.

Because rituximab targets B-cells (lymphocytes), the researchers believe that the study not only shows the possible benefits of rifluximab, but, according to the lead author of the study, Dr. Jonathan Edwards, "[the study] completely changes our understanding of the cause of rheumatoid arthritis in that it shows that B cells are critically involved in the underlying process."

About Rituxan® (Rituximab)

Commonly used to treat non-Hodkin's lymphoma, Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. More information about the drug can be found at the Rituximab website as well as the Medline Plus website: