The Use of “Acellbia”—A Biosimilar of Rituximab in Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

The possibilities of modern therapy for systemic sclerosis (SSc) remains limited, since most of the used drugs do not have a disease-modifying effect. This encourages the study of new approaches that potentially affect the fundamental pathological processes underlying the disease. One example is anti-B-cell therapy, in particular rituximab (RTX). Until now RTX does not have a registration for the treatment of SSc, but there is a large positive experience of its use, which is reflected in recent meta-analyses and clinical recommendations. Complicated and expensive methods for obtaining genetically engineered biological drugs (biologics) have contributed to the emergence of more accessible biosimilars, one of which is the RTX biosimilar, Acellbia (Biocad, Russian Federation). The ‘‘biosimilar’’ versions of RTX might reduce the cost of therapy and increase patients accessibility to this treatment option. The RTX biosimilar Acellbia (ACB) has received approval in Russian Federation in 2014 for all indications held by reference RTX (including rheumatoid arthritis and ANCA-associated vasculitis).