She just completed the course of rituximab, which targets CD20 receptors. B-cell deficiency can predispose to bacterial infections.

b) BM failure is not associated with rituximab c) wrong d) wrong e) this occurs w/in 7-10 days of starting treatment, and would not occur after completing a 4-month course of rituximab.

Rituximab

Mechanism = Monoclonal antibody against CD20, which is found on most B-cell neoplasms.

Use = B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, CLL, ITP, rheumatoid arthritis, TTP, AIHA, MS.

Adv effects = Increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients with JC virus.