Chemo Drugs for Autoimmune Diseases

[Dermatray15]

Has anyone had their doctor recommend a cancer drug ( Rituxan or cytoxan) for an autoimmune disease?

[Matman]

Apologies - unable to offer any info on this, but have 'Commented' anyway, so I get alerted by HealthUnlocked if / when others reply (as I'm interested in any response you get).

[Wheezycat]

I have no experience of this, but I have heard of it, and in that case it was to good effect. But you know, don’t you, that this is an asthma forum? So there must be better places to ask.

[Riff1954]

My wife has Vasculitis, which is an autoimmune disease, and has had both. She had cytoxan (or Cyclophosphamide as it is known in the U.K.) early after her diagnosis to quickly reduce inflammation. Rituxan or Rituximab is a monoclonal anti body which is less toxic and a more recent type of treatment. This has shown to be quite successful with some types of Vasculitis, particularly GPA (Wegeners) but it didn't do much for her.

If you are enquiring about such drugs that would suggest that your doctor thinks your condition is not just asthma. Can I suggest you take a look at vasculitis.org.uk/ which will answer a lot of your questions. There is also a Vasculitis group on HealthUnlocked which could provide additional information/support

[Dermatray15 in reply to Riff1954]

Thanks for the information you provided. I am going to read about vasculitis.

[Clanmacbeath]

Hello

I am currently on a chemo drug for my asthma. I'm taking methotrexate tablets once a week. Although this is a chemo drug, in low doses its not the same as chemotheraphy which uses high doses. Its not a normal pathway for asthma but Im not a normal asthmatic. These drugs are used for lots of illness including rheumatoid athritis and vascullitis.

[Dermatray15 in reply to Clanmacbeath]

Thanks for the helpful information. I’ll continue learning more about the medication.

[Matman in reply to Clanmacbeath]

Interesting. How well would you rate it for your 'Asthma' Symptoms? Any major Side-Effects, Interactions etc encountered (or Listed for it's Profile?). I've heard it mentioned a couple of times that some asthmatics end up going your route.

[Clanmacbeath in reply to Matman]

I have only been on it for 4 weeks and was told that it woild take a few weeks to take effect. So far there hasnt been any improvement in my asthma symptoms. It supposed to help me have a break from steriods as I have been on them constatntly for about 12 years. However Im still on 15mg of pred daily. The side effects arent great, nausea, lethargy and loss of appetite. They first couple of days after taking them I'm jusy washed out and struggle to do anything. I suppose I will just have to give it a bit more time and see if it settles down. Im back at the specailist in 4 weeks to review how its going.

[Matman]

Thanks. Sorry to hear it’s not yet delivering benefits. Hope that changes soon for you. Take care.

[technogeek]

As a matter of fact this is exactly what happened when I started having chronic ITP Immune Thrombocytopenea Purpura. Platelet loss in my case is from my spleen taking out my platelets as an autoimmune response. And the cure started as steroids but for long term became Rituxan as Rituxan takes out the immune B cells. The longest remission I have had so far approached 8 months while on Rituxan. Best wishes and good luck