eligibility_summary
Eligible: PMR per 2012 EULAR/ACR criteria, in relapse (symptoms plus elevated ESR/CRP), unable to taper glucocorticoids below 5 mg/day prednisolone (or equivalent), and consent provided. Exclude: systemic immunosuppressants (except GC, MTX, leflunomide, azathioprine) within 3 months, suspected GCA or other inflammatory rheumatic disease, conditions confounding pain/mobility assessment, or RTX hypersensitivity/contraindications.
trial_source
clinical_trials.gov from Dec 2, 2025
annotation_status
ai
ai_summary
Phase 3, parallel RCT in relapsing polymyalgia rheumatica evaluates rituximab 1000 mg IV once vs placebo to enable glucocorticoid-sparing remission. Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (B‑cell–depleting biologic). Mechanism: binds CD20 on pre‑B and mature B cells, inducing depletion via complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and apoptosis. Targets/pathways: CD20+ B lymphocytes, downstream reduction of B-cell antigen presentation, autoantibody production, and pro‑inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL‑6).