Rituxan is the first treatment for RA that selectively targets immune cells known as CD20-positive B-cells. Through this unique mechanism of action, Rituxan may affect multiple pathways by which B-cells are believed to contribute to the initiation and development of RA.

"The FDA approval of Rituxan for RA provides an important new treatment approach for patients who do not respond adequately to TNF antagonist therapy," said Stephen Paget, M.D., chairman, professor of medicine and physician-in-chief at the department of medicine, division of rheumatology, at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. "In clinical trials, Rituxan demonstrated significant improvement in joint pain, inflammation and physical function from a single course of therapy in this difficult-to-treat patient population."

The FDA based its approval decision for Rituxan for RA on data from three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of patients with active RA. Results of the pivotal Phase III trial known as REFLEX showed that a significantly greater proportion of patients who received a single treatment course of two infusions of Rituxan (1000 mg on days one and 15) with a stable dose of MTX achieved American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20, 50 and 70 response rates compared to patients who received placebo and MTX. The study included patients with active RA who had an inadequate response or were intolerant to prior treatment with one or more TNF antagonist therapies and current MTX therapy.

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Synthesis - Rhodium quinones can also be used to make a new class of organolithium reagents. These compounds are used to make a wide variety of industrial chemicals, such as polymers and plastics, and are among the most important reagents available for the synthesis of new materials. The rhodium quinone-based class of organolithiums promises to improve these reagents by allowing the incorporation of active transition metals.

Storage - Energy experts hope that hydrogen will eventually replace fossil fuels as a clean source of power. The promise: Convert the gas to electricity, leaving water as the only byproduct. But to create this "hydrogen economy," major hurdles must be overcome to make, transport and store hydrogen. Sweigart and his team have shown that rhodium quinones, in a solid state, feature channels suitable for storage of hydrogen and other gases, and might be used in fuel cells to generate electricity.

"After routinely working until 2 or 3 a.m. in the lab, creating the new compound is extremely exciting," said Jeffrey Reingold, a graduate student working in the Sweigart lab. "The rhodium and the quinone parts of the molecule each contribute unique characteristics to generate a powerful new reagent with enormous potential. Much of our future research will focus on the development of this fascinating chemistry."

The research team also includes chemistry graduate student Sang Bok Kim, professor emeritus of chemistry Gene Carpenter, and Seung Uk Son, a former Brown post-doctoral research fellow and current assistant professor of chemistry at Sungkyunkwan University.

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