Breaking News about Rituximab

[Sangye]

My Wegs doc hinted at this study a couple weeks ago. Looks like the World O' Wegs just got a lot better!!!

New therapy for vasculitis will help patients avoid infertility and cancer

[andrew]

That's huge news Sangye, thanks for posting!

[jola57]

This is great news on so many levels. It seems that as unknow as we are there is still some hope for research, and such a positive one. Whoopeee

[Doug]

It's wonderful news! Timely, too, as there have been more and more people on this forum asking about the efficacy of this drug.

[Sangye]

And with a study like this that equates ctx and rtx (and shows rtx to be slightly better), docs will be able to get insurance approval to start patients on rtx to begin with. No more "You have to fail on ctx first" nonsense. The days of heavy-duty chemo may be over for so many people. Amazing.

Those of us with this knowledge will have to work 10 times harder to get newly diagnosed Weggies to Wegs specialists. Regular rheumys already don't know what to do.

[Jack]

That is great news should I have relapse. My docs were getting a bit twitchy about giving me any more cyclophosphamide.

[Sangye]

I noticed the link in my first post has expired. Here's another link to it.
Rituximab Offers Alternative to Cyclophosphamide for Wegener’s - Medconnect

[onatreetop]

Wow the numbers sound good! I wonder if I can talk my RA into it? Is it safe to switch during the treatment? IDK? This is my first time.

[jola57]

Don't know. I am seeing my rheumy on the 9th and will give him a copy of the article. I'll see what he says.