Rituximab for the Treatment of Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis Who are Refractory or Intolerant to Standard Therapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although most patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) respond to treatment with prednisone and/or azathioprine, some patients are intolerant or refractory to standard therapy. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells and has demonstrated efficacy in other autoimmune conditions.