rituximab + methotrexate

Rituximab + methotrexate is a combination therapy used primarily for the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response to one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist therapies. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20, a surface antigen on B lymphocytes, leading to B-cell depletion through mechanisms such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Methotrexate is an antimetabolite and antifolate agent that inhibits enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis, particularly dihydrofolate reductase, resulting in impaired DNA synthesis and cell division. The combination has also been used for certain types of lymphoma involving the central nervous system. This regimen improves clinical efficacy over monotherapy with either agent alone by reducing inflammatory activity and improving functional outcomes[1][2][3][4][5][6][8].

Other names

RITUXAN + methotrexateRTX + MTX