Truxima is a medicine used to treat the following blood cancers and inflammatory conditions: - follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (two types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cancer) - chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL, another blood cancer affecting white blood cells) - severe rheumatoid arthritis (an inflammatory condition of the joints) - granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA or Wegener’s granulomatosis) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), which are inflammatory conditions of the blood vessels - moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris, an autoimmune disease characterised by widespread blistering and erosion of the skin and mucous membranes (moist body surfaces, such as the lining of the mouth). ‘Autoimmune’ means that the disease is caused by the immune system (the body’s natural defences) attacking the body’s own cells. Depending on the condition it is used to treat, Truxima may be given on its own, or with chemotherapy (other cancer medicines) or medicines used for inflammatory disorders (methotrexate or a corticosteroid). Truxima contains the active substance rituximab. Truxima is a ‘biosimilar medicine’. This means that Truxima is highly similar to another biological medicine (the ‘reference medicine’) that is already authorised in the EU. The reference medicine for Truxima is MabThera. For more information on biosimilar medicines, see [here](/en/biosimilar-medicines-overview).
Therapeutic Indication
### Therapeutic indication Truxima is indicated in adults for the following indications: **Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)** Truxima is indicated for the treatment of previously untreated patients with stage III IV follicular lymphoma in combination with chemotherapy. Truxima maintenance therapy is indicated for the treatment of follicular lymphoma patients responding to induction therapy. Truxima monotherapy is indicated for treatment of patients with stage III IV follicular lymphoma who are chemo resistant or are in their second or subsequent relapse after chemotherapy. Truxima is indicated for the treatment of patients with CD20 positive diffuse large B cell non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in combination with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone) chemotherapy. **Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)** Truxima in combination with chemotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with previously untreated and relapsed/refractory CLL. Only limited data are available on efficacy and safety for patients previously treated with monoclonal antibodies including Truxima or patients refractory to previous Truxima plus chemotherapy. **Rheumatoid arthritis** Truxima in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to other disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARD) including one or more tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapies. Truxima has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X ray and to improve physical function, when given in combination with methotrexate. **Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis** Truxima, in combination with glucocorticoids, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with severe, active granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s) (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). **Pemphigus vulgaris** Truxima is indicated for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris (PV).
Therapeutic Area (MeSH)
ATC Code
L01FA01
ATC Item
rituximab
Pharmacotherapeutic Group
Antineoplastic agents
Active Substance (Summary)
INN / Common Names
| Substance | CAS | Monograph |
|---|---|---|
| rituximab | N/A | 利妥昔单抗 |
EMA Name
Truxima
Medicine Name
Truxima
Aliases
N/ANo risk management plan link.
