Abstract |
Childhood autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) of the warm type is usually successfully managed with corticosteroids and/or immunoglobulin infusions. In a small proportion of patients AIHA follows a more severe and protracted pathway resulting in the use of immunosuppressive therapy and frequently culminating with the need for splenectomy. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 (B-cell) monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade or follicular, CD20 positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Case reports on the use of rituximab for childhood AIHA are scant. The authors describe the first report in which rituximab was effectively employed to induce a long-term remission in a young child with the longest history of chronic relapsing AIHA prior to receiving rituximab. All immunosuppressive therapy was successfully discontinued and splenectomy was avoided.
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Authors | Nick G Gottardo, David L Baker, Frank R Willis |
Journal | Pediatric hematology and oncology
(Pediatr Hematol Oncol)
2003 Oct-Nov
Vol. 20
Issue 7
Pg. 557-61
ISSN: 0888-0018 [Print] England |
PMID | 12959862
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Antigens, CD20
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Rituximab
- Cyclosporine
- Prednisolone
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Topics |
- Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune
(drug therapy)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(therapeutic use)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Antigens, CD20
(analysis)
- B-Lymphocytes
(drug effects)
- Chronic Disease
- Cyclosporine
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Infant
- Prednisolone
(therapeutic use)
- Recurrence
- Remission Induction
(methods)
- Rituximab
- Splenomegaly
- Time
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