Lower dose rituximab is active in adults patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
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.
Zaja
Francesco
F
Clinica Ematologica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, piazza S. Maria della Misericordia, 33100 Udine, Italy. zaja.francesco@aoud.sanita.fvg.it
Battista
Marta Lisa
ML
Pirrotta
Maria Teresa
MT
Palmieri
Salvatore
S
Montagna
Michela
M
Vianelli
Nicola
N
Marin
Luciana
L
Cavallin
Margherita
M
Bocchia
Monica
M
Defina
Marzia
M
Ippoliti
Micaela
M
Ferrara
Felicetto
F
Patriarca
Francesca
F
Avanzini
Maria Antonietta
MA
Regazzi
Mario
M
Baccarani
Michele
M
Isola
Miriam
M
Soldano
Franca
F
Fanin
Renato
R
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
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab