Mechanisms and Clinical Effects of Rituximab and its Multifaceted Comparison with Biosimilars

Abstract

Rituximab, targeting CD20, is one of the first-line treatments against Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Follicular Lymphoma, Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma (LPL), and other B cell mutations. As the patent on Rituximab expires and a large number of biosimilars are on the market, Rituximab is an important milestone in the era of immunotherapy as the first monoclonal antibody to be approved for oncology treatment. The mechanisms of its anticancer effects include Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity (CDC), Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC), Antibody-Dependent Phagocytosis (ADCP), direct signaling-induced cell death, etc. The biosimilar Truxima, which is now used worldwide, is also tending to surpass it by the expiration of the original Rituximab patent. This paper focuses on the working principle and clinical effects of Rituximab, the characteristics and pathway principles of the drug target CD20, as well as the physical and chemical properties of reference drugs and biosimilars. This review also summarizes the importance of monoclonal antibody technologies such as Rituximab and CD20 antibodies in the treatment of related cancers. Further studies are required for clinical applications of Truxima as a substitute for Rituximab.