title: Consolidation treatment with rituximab induces complete and persistent remission of mixed type Evans syndrome.
abstract: We describe a 58-year-old woman affected by immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) since 1999, well controlled by low doses of steroid for 4 years, who experienced a relapse with severe mixed type Evans syndrome in March 2006. After an initial response to high doses of steroid, severe anaemia recurred 2 months later, this time resistant to second-line therapy with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) and cyclophosphamide. So in May, we started the treatment with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab with the dose of 375 mg/m2 once weekly for a total of four doses. We obtained a full normalization of haemoglobin concentration, but the disease haemolytic parameters persisted. Therefore, we decided to treat the patient with two monthly courses of rituximab, and a gradual normalization of haptoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) plasma levels was finally achieved, with a sustained response up to date, lasting more than 12 months. We conclude that rituximab treatment is effective in refractory patients with mixed type Evans syndrome, and consolidation therapy should be considered to prolong beneficial effects achieved during the induction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Oncohaematology, S Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Rovigo, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodella
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pacquola
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bianchini
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ramazzina
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paolini
mesh_terms: D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab