Orthosteric Ligands → Classical Binding Small Molecules → Small Molecules, Monoclonal Antibodies → Antibody-Based Therapeutics
Administration
Oral, Intravenous
01
Overview
This is a combination regimen consisting of four immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive agents frequently used in the management of severe or refractory autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis.
Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug with immunomodulatory effects, commonly used to reduce disease activity in SLE by interfering with lysosomal activity and antigen presentation in immune cells.
Mycophenolate mofetil is a prodrug of mycophenolic acid that inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, suppressing lymphocyte proliferation by blocking de novo guanosine nucleotide synthesis.
Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid that broadly suppresses inflammation and immune responses through genomic effects on multiple inflammatory pathways.
Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 on B cells, leading to their depletion via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and induction of apoptosis.
This combination may be considered for patients with severe or refractory manifestations of autoimmune diseases where standard therapies are insufficient.