Activity and safety profile of low-dose rituximab for the treatment of autoimmune cytopenias in adults.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive patients with various autoimmune cytopenias who failed to respond to conventional treatments and received a fixed-dose regimen of rituximab (100 mg weekly for 4 consecutive weeks). Sustained complete responses were achieved in 4 out of 7 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and in 1 patient with autoimmune pancytopenia. A partial response was observed in 1 patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The immunotherapy had no effect in 1 patient with pure red cell aplasia or in 1 patient with autoimmune neutropenia. No infusion-related or delayed toxicities attributable to rituximab were experienced by any of the patients.
Provan
Drew
D
Department of Haematology, Bart's & The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Whitechapel, London, UK.
Butler
Tom
T
Evangelista
Maria Laura
ML
Amadori
Sergio
S
Newland
Adrian C
AC
Stasi
Roberto
R
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010198:Pancytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012010:Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D012384:Rome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab