title: Chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody: a case report.
abstract: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by accelerated and premature destruction of platelets by reticuloendothelial system. CD20, a trans-membrane B-cell-specific antigen, is a potential target for treatment of certain malignant and nonmalignant plasma cell disorders including refractory ITP. Rituximab is a genetically engineered human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, which is approved for the treatment of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Recent clinical reports suggest that rituximab may be useful in treating certain patients with chronic refractory ITP. A 59-year-old woman with refractory ITP was placed on rituximab (four weekly doses of 375 mg/m(2)) and her condition and platelet count were observed for 18 months. There was a gradual increase in platelet count and she was symptom free in this period and no side effects of the drug were reported. Anti-CD20 antibodies are likely to be used in the treatment of refractory ITP cases, but further studies about treatment schedule and criteria for patient selection should be done.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hemato-Oncology, Rasule-Akram General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Latifzadeh
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Entezari
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000276:immunology*; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab