n. a *monoclonal antibody that acts against the protein CD20, located mainly on the surface of B lymphocytes; it is used in the treatment of many lymphomas and leukaemias, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. It is also licensed for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis and *vasculitis. Side-effects include hypersensitivity reactions and immunosuppression.
(GPA) an autoimmune disease, formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis, predominantly affecting the sinuses, lungs, and kidneys, and characterized by blood-vessel inflammation and the formation of necrotizing *granulomas. It is associated with the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (*ANCA). Untreated the disease is usually fatal, but it can be controlled with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, or rituximab.... granulomatosis with polyangiitis
n. cancer of the lymph nodes, including *Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. There is a broad spectrum of malignancy, with prognosis ranging from a few months to many years. The patient usually shows evidence of multiple enlarged lymph nodes and may have constitutional symptoms such as weight loss, fever, and sweating (the so-called ‘B symptoms’). Disease may be widespread, but in some cases is confined to a single area, which may be extranodal (such as the tonsil). Treatment is with drugs such as chlorambucil or combinations of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone, sometimes with the addition of doxorubicin and/or bleomycin; response to these drugs is often dramatic. New *targeted agents are used depending on the expression of cell surface molecules, particularly *rituximab against CD20 in diffuse B-cell lymphoma. Localized disease may be treated with radiotherapy followed by drugs. Patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who do not respond to chemotherapy may be considered for a bone-marrow transplant.... lymphoma
(MPA) an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of small blood vessels, leading to reduced kidney function and breathlessness. It is associated with the presence of antinuclear cytoplasmic antibodies (*ANCA) and can be treated with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, or rituximab.... microscopic polyangiitis
(targeted therapy) a drug that interferes with specific molecular targets in the pathways involved in cancer cell growth and signalling, in contrast to *cytotoxic drugs that act primarily on rapidly dividing cells. It typically requires prolonged courses of treatment, and the anticancer action can be synergistic with *chemotherapy. Many new drugs are being developed and are undergoing trials to determine optimal use. The *tyrosine kinase inhibitors include imatinib and *epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors; multitargeted agents include *sorafenib and *sunitinib. The monoclonal antibodies include *rituximab, *trastuzumab, *cetuximab, and *bevacizumab.... targeted agent
n. a *monoclonal antibody that inhibits the action of *interleukin 6, an inflammatory *cytokine. It is used to treat adults with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded to anti-TNF drugs or rituximab and children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Common side-effects include sore throat, mouth ulcers, and high blood pressure.... tocilizumab
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