Lupiximab is the brand name for Rituximab, a medicine given by injection (intravenous infusion)

It is a monoclonal antibody, which means it is a lab-made protein that targets a specific part of cells.

Mechanism 

• Rituximab targets CD20, a protein found mostly on the surface of B-cells (a type of white blood cell).

• When it binds to CD20, it causes destruction of these B-cells (via immune-system mechanisms). Fewer B-cells mean less immune activity from those cells. This helps in diseases where B-cells are part of the problem.

  Uses

  • Blood cancers:

    • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)

    • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

  • Autoimmune diseases:

    • Rheumatoid arthritis

    • Vasculitis (granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis)

    • Pemphigus vulgaris (severe skin blistering disease)

      Adverse Effects 

      Common side effects:

      • Fever, chills during infusion

      • Headache, tiredness

      • Nausea, diarrhea

      • Skin rash, itching

      • Low white blood cells → higher risk of infection