Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody approved for the treatment of some lymphoid malignancies as well as for autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and vasculitis.
FcγRI<sup>only</sup> mice were sensitive to IgG-induced autoimmune thrombocytopenia and anti-CD20 and anti-tumour immunotherapy, but resistant to IgG-induced autoimmune arthritis, anaphylaxis and airway inflammation.
Anti-CD20 antibodies are likely to be used in the treatment of refractory ITP cases, but further studies about treatment schedule and criteria for patient selection should be done.