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Rituximab is effective for selected patients with chronic steroid-refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Abstract
We report results of Rituximab therapy in four patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refractory to 3-8 prior therapeutic regimens. Rituximab was administered at a dose of 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4-6 weeks. Three out of four patients achieved a complete remission (rise to platelet count above 100,000/microl). Response duration was 4, 16+, and 11+ months. Rituximab was well tolerated but one patient (a 77 year-old male) developed two serious infections, pneumonia and a hepatic abscess, at 2 and 4 months. We conclude that Rituximab is effective in patients with refractory ITP; nevertheless, careful patient selection is mandatory.
AuthorsChrisavgi Lalayanni, Niki Stavroyianni, Riad Saloum, Aliki Tsompanakou, Achilles Anagnostopoulos
JournalHematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (Hematology) Vol. 9 Issue 4 Pg. 287-9 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 1024-5332 [Print] England
PMID15621736 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Rituximab
Topics
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage)
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage)
  • Chronic Disease (therapy)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess (etiology)
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia (etiology)
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic (complications, drug therapy)
  • Remission Induction
  • Rituximab

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