According to results featured in an issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, low doses of Rituximab can prove effective for achieving remission for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients without serious side effects and a need for prescribing harsh steroids.

The involved researchers honed in on a new target, the B cell for attaining this finding.

From News-Medical.Net:

Steroids, whether received intravenously or orally, showed no significant correlation with disease improvement scores among the rituximab groups. Intravenous steroid, however, showed a positive correlation to improved tolerability during the first rituximab infusion in both dosage groups. Overall, adverse events associated with rituximab were mild and easily managed. Headache was the most common complaint.

Confirming the role of B cells in the inflammatory processes behind RA, this study demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of a unique biologic therapy, in moderate doses and independent of steroids. Yet, as its leading author, Dr. Paul Emery, notes, further studies are needed before applying the results to the routine treatment of RA patients. “Both doses of rituximab explored in this study warrant further differential exploration and longer-term followup,” he stresses.

Rituximab, a biologic agent that selectively depletes B cells, was then successfully used for treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma apart from facilitating improvements in the disease symptoms for RA patients.

Tags: intravenous steroid, Rheumatoid arthritis, rituximab, steroids

Posted in buy steroids, Steroid Cycles, steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids