title: Successful treatment of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura with rituximab in a dialysis patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP) in systemic lupus erythematosus involves autoantibody mediated destruction of platelets. In dialysis patients with refractory ATP which is unresponsive to corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agents, the management is difficult. B cell targeted therapy with rituximab has emerged as a promising agent by reducing the levels of pathogenic autoantibodies. However, its safety and efficacy in dialysis patients are uncertain. In this report, we described a dialysis patient with refractory lupus-related ATP, whose platelet counts responded only to rituximab. Furthermore, no severe side effects were noted during the treatment period, suggesting that rituximab can be administered safely in dialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shen-Yang
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Po-Yaur
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Kuo-Chang
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Juan
authors.forename: Hung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Wen-Hung
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ping-Chin
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D000069283:Rituximab; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D013256:Steroids; D000069283:Rituximab