Which therapy is indicated for lymphoproliferative disorder?

Which therapy is indicated for lymphoproliferative disorder?

• A. Methotrexate
• B. Leflunomide
• C. Rituximab
• D. TNF inhibitors

Answer: (C)

Focusing on therapies that directly target the abnormal B-cell proliferation is key here. Rituximab is a CD20-directed monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells, making it a standard treatment for B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders such as certain lymphomas and related conditions. Because the disorder involves overactive or malignant B cells, a drug that specifically reduces B-cell numbers addresses the root cause more effectively than general immunosuppressants. Methotrexate and leflunomide are DMARDs used to treat autoimmune diseases, but they do not specifically target B-cell neoplasia; they’re not indicated as treatments for established lymphoproliferative disorders (and methotrexate, in particular, can sometimes be associated with lymphoproliferative changes as a complication). TNF inhibitors suppress inflammatory pathways and carry a separate risk profile, including potential lymphoma risk, but they are not therapies aimed at treating lymphoproliferative disorders themselves. So Rituximab’s mechanism—removing CD20-positive B cells—directly aligns with treating lymphoproliferative disorders, making it the best choice.

Focusing on therapies that directly target the abnormal B-cell proliferation is key here. Rituximab is a CD20-directed monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells, making it a standard treatment for B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders such as certain lymphomas and related conditions. Because the disorder involves overactive or malignant B cells, a drug that specifically reduces B-cell numbers addresses the root cause more effectively than general immunosuppressants.

Methotrexate and leflunomide are DMARDs used to treat autoimmune diseases, but they do not specifically target B-cell neoplasia; they’re not indicated as treatments for established lymphoproliferative disorders (and methotrexate, in particular, can sometimes be associated with lymphoproliferative changes as a complication). TNF inhibitors suppress inflammatory pathways and carry a separate risk profile, including potential lymphoma risk, but they are not therapies aimed at treating lymphoproliferative disorders themselves.

So Rituximab’s mechanism—removing CD20-positive B cells—directly aligns with treating lymphoproliferative disorders, making it the best choice.