soluble beta-glucan + rituximab

This is a **combination therapy** comprising **soluble beta-glucan**—specifically, PGG beta-glucan (a highly purified, water-soluble, yeast-derived 1,3/1,6 glucose polymer)—with **rituximab**, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20 on B-cells. - **Mechanism of Action:** Soluble beta-glucan activates the innate immune system, particularly macrophages and neutrophils. Macrophage-digested beta-glucan fragments prime neutrophil complement receptor 3 (CR3), enhancing their ability to kill tumor cells opsonized by complement component iC3b due to rituximab-mediated targeting[5]. Rituximab binds CD20, mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and direct apoptosis. The combination enhances innate immune-mediated cytotoxicity against malignant B-cells[1][5]. - **Clinical context:** Evaluated primarily for B-cell malignancies including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in phase I/II clinical trials. - **Developers:** Beta-glucan (PGG) is mainly developed by Biothera/Biotec Pharmacon ASA; rituximab originally developed by Genentech/Roche. - **Primary Indication:** Slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma[2][3], chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma[1], and pediatric relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies[4].

Other names

soluble beta-glucan + rituximabSBG + rituximabPGG beta-glucan + rituximab