[Novel treatment of Graves' disease using the B-lymphocyte depleting agent rituximab].

Graves' disease (GD) is caused by autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TRAb). In a controlled study using the B-lymphocyte depleting agent rituximab (RTX), an RTX-specific effect was found on long-term remission following methimazole (MMI) therapy. However, benefits were limited to patients with low baseline TRAb levels, and the decrease in TRAb levels observed after treatment with RTX in combination with MMI was no greater than that observed after treatment with MMI alone. Considering its price and adverse effect profile, RTX therapy does not seem to be a relevant treatment option in uncomplicated GD. The potential use of other immunomodulatory agents in GD is discussed.