title: Lower dose rituximab is active in adults patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: Rituximab 375 mg/m(2) weekly for four weeks has significant activity in patients with immune thrombocytopenia. We evaluated the activity of lower dose rituximab (100 mg iv weekly for 4 weeks) in 28 adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Overall (platelet count > 50 x 10(9)/L) and complete responses (platelet count > 100 x 10(9)/L) were achieved in 21/28 (75%) and 12/28 (43%) patients respectively. The median time to response and time to complete response were 31 and 44 days respectively. After a median follow-up of 11 months (range 3-18), 7/21 (33%) patients relapsed and 3 needed further treatments. In patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, lower dose rituximab seems to show similar activity to standard dose.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Ematologica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, piazza S. Maria della Misericordia, 33100 Udine, Italy. zaja.francesco@aoud.sanita.fvg.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zaja
authors.forename: Marta Lisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Battista
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Pirrotta
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montagna
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vianelli
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cavallin
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bocchia
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Defina
authors.forename: Micaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ippoliti
authors.forename: Felicetto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Patriarca
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Avanzini
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Regazzi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baccarani
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isola
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soldano
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab