title: [Efficacy and safety of two different low-dose rituximab regimens for Chinese adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of two different regimens of low doses rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one patients were enrolled in this study and was non-randomly assigned to receive 100 mg rituximab weekly for 4 weeks (group A, 31 cases) or a single dose of 375 mg/m2 rituximab (group B, 20 cases).
  
  
  RESULTS
  For group A: Overall and complete response (OR and CR) rates were 58% and 29% , respectively. In responders, the median time to response was 42 (10 -101) days, with a median follow-up time of 15 (10 - 16) months, 3 of 18 responders (17%) relapsed. For group B: OR and CR rates were 50% and 35% , respectively. In responders, the median time to response was 35 (18 - 108) days, with a median follow-up time of 13 (6 -17) months, 1 of 9 responders (11%) relapsed. No significant difference in the OR, CR, the relapse rate and relapse free survival was observed in patients between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low dose rituximab regimen (100 mg weekly for 4 weeks or a single close of 375 mg/m2) may be a useful alternative therapy in patients with ITP.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS & PUMC, Tianjin 300020, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sui
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ze-ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Ren-chi
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab