Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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autumm 08/29/2013

Has anyone ever eard of B Cell depletion. I was wondering if it is something which may work for us. I don't have a scientific mind but I know some of you do and enjoy enquiring into these things. Would be interested in anything you find out. Autumm

nanny1611 08/29/2013

I found this article, but it's a little "over my head." But I thought I'd post it for those who are able to understand it.
http://ard.bmj.com/content/64/suppl_4/iv77.full

autumm 08/30/2013

Thank you Nanny. Its way over my head too but interesting that one of the drugs used is the one Madionme is posting about. Autumm

trpt1 08/30/2013

Thank you Autumn and Nanny for the article. I read the article and understand it well. I wanted to say a lot of things, but I tend to be opinionated.

Here is something to consider. Hoffman-LaRoche owns Genentech. Genentech manufactures rituximab. You may want to look up these companies on Wikipedia and read about them.

What do you think? There are too many layers of issues.

nanny1611 08/30/2013

I found another article on B cell depletion that was more understandable to me. Tho't I would share it. It's a very interesting theory.
http://arthritis.about.com/cs/bcell/a/remissionra.htm

deleted_user 08/30/2013

My understanding is that Rituximab is trying to do just this. It works somehow to deplete the B-cells.

deleted_user 08/30/2013

I summarize that Rituximab has been used in RA for 15 years, article was in 2005. they are still not sure about all the ways it depletes B cells but it does and further research should be done.
I am encouraged...
I have not yet tried Ritux, but i know of those who found it their saving grace...

Shawna

autumm 08/31/2013

Hello everyone and thank you for your imput. I was just interested in the science, it makes a different approach. Autumm

lexisgirl 08/31/2013

I did Rituxan for my Lymphoma. My understanding is the way it works is it attaches to the CD20 cells (B cells) and forces your own immune system to kill them. That was the explanation on why it was being used for my Lymphoma which is a B cell cancer. I imagine the way it works is the same regardless of the disease it is being taken for.

Isn't the goal of these drugs to slow down our immune system since it is running rampant? Makes sense that means killing off some cells or stopping the production (but I am not sure we figured out how to do that yet).

autumm 09/02/2013

Thank you Lexis. Love the new photo. Autumm

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