FDA APPROVES RITUXAN® - THE FIRST B-CELL TARGETED TREATMENT FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS THERAPY TARGETS DISEASE IN A NEW WAY

Story Summary:

Rheumatoid arthritis, known as RA, is a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects more than two million Americans and is 2.5 times more common in women than men. Although recent medical advances like TNF antagonist medications have been helpful for some patients, as many as one-third do not respond adequately to these therapies. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new option for patients who don’t respond adequately to TNF antagonist therapies. The drug – Rituxan – treats RA in a new way by targeting immune cells called B-cells that may play multiple roles in this disease.

Rituxan is administered as a treatment course of two infusions and has demonstrated clinical benefits through six months. Rituxan is currently available and patients should see their doctor for more information. Information is also available at www.rituxan.com.

Soundbites

Stephen Paget, M.D., Chairman, Professor of Medicine, Physician-in-Chief, Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
Angela Jenkins, Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient