[Rituximab treatment for immune thrombocytopenia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is an autoimmune disorder occasionally associated with systemic lupus erythematosus for which oral corticosteroids constitute the first-line treatment. Therapy may be complex, particularly in the event of a contraindication to the standard treatment, namely corticosteroids, splenectomy or immunosuppressants. We report the case of a patient with systemic lupus associated with immune thrombocytopenic purpura and multisystem tuberculosis. Because of a contraindication to corticosteroids, the patient was successfully treated with rituximab (anti-CD20 antibody). This medication (Mabthera) is indicated in the treatment of relapsing or refractory follicular lymphoma.

CASE REPORT:

A 31-year-old North African woman had been treated for 10 years with prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for systemic lupus erythematosus. She presented severe immune thrombocytopenic purpura (platelet count: 4G/l) 3 months after initiation of antitubercular treatment for multisystem tuberculosis. The patient was unsuccessfully treated at the outset with 3 infusions of intravenous immunoglobulin. Since thrombocytopenia remained under 5 G/l, she was given rituximab 375 mg/m2/week for 4 weeks. Thrombocytopenia and native anti-DNA antibody levels decreased after the third infusion (D16). No side effects of treatment were observed. The patient did not experience any relapse during the 29 months following the final infusion.

DISCUSSION:

In the present case, rituximab was used because of multisystem tuberculosis. Rituximab appears to constitute a safe and effective treatment for refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura associated with SLE in patients having a contraindication to or refractory to conventional therapy.

• Authors: S Lehembre, A Macario-Barrel, P Musette, P Carvalho, P Joly
• Journal: Annales de dermatologie et de venereologie (Ann Dermatol Venereol) Vol. 133 Issue 1 Pg. 53-5 (Jan 2006) ISSN: 0151-9638 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Traitement par rituximab d'un purpura thrombopénique immunologique au cours d'un lupus systémique.
• PMID: 16495854 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Immunologic Factors
• Rituximab

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Female
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors (therapeutic use)
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (complications)
• Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic (complications, drug therapy)
• Rituximab