Alternative B-Cell Targeting Drugs?

M

magenk

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10
I'm interested in trialing rituximab as a diagnostic indicator for autoimmunity, but I'd prefer to take a small molecule drug first instead of chancing a longer term antibody treatment.

When I researched B-cell drugs, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors came up as a possible class of small momecule drugs. Anyone heard of them? Maybe none are available in generic yet.
 
cfs since 1998

cfs since 1998

Senior Member
Messages
780
I don't know of any specific for B cells. For small molecule immunosuppressives you might look at efgartigimod (Vyvgart), leflunomide, abatacept, rapamycin. Leflunomide has the added bonus of being an EBV inhibitor. I guess technically cyclophosphamide is a small molecule, right?

Rituximab was no better than placebo for ME/CFS in a large trial, but if your illness started with mono you could be among the small number of patients that could benefit from it.

I think Kesimpta (subcutaneous ofatumimab) is more interesting. It can deplete tissue-resident B cells more easily than rituximab. If I had millions of dollars and could arrange a clinical trial myself, I would test a combination of Kesimpta and high dose valacyclovir.
 
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