What is the difference between immunosuppressive drugs and rituxan?
Rituxan is a type of immunosuppressive drug; these drugs have a lot of different ways they suppress the immune system. Rituxan’s specific mechanism of action is to bind to the CD20 receptor on B-lymphocytes which eventually leads to the cell’s death. So Rituxan is targeted to B-cells (a type of lymphocyte)–and yes, it does kill off the lymphocytes that produce antibodies. Here is more detailed information from Lexi-comp online: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen on B-lymphocytes. CD20 regulates cell cycle initiation; and, possibly, functions as a calcium channel. Rituximab binds to the antigen on the cell surface, activating complement-dependent B-cell cytotoxicity; and to human Fc receptors, mediating cell killing through an antibody-dependent cellular toxicity. B-cells are believed to play a role in the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Signs and symptoms of RA are reduced by targeting B-cells and the progression of structural dam