Mechanism of Action
Rituximab binds to CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes through Fab domain. B cell lysis in-vitro occurs through immune effector functions which are recruited by Fc domain. It involves certain mechanisms like ADCC (antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity) and CDC (complement dependent cytotoxicity). It can induce apoptosis to the DHL-4 (diffuse histiocytic lymphoma) human B-cell lymphoma line [29].