title: Rituximab as prophylaxis in chronic relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura:  a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disorder that most often arises from inhibition of the enzyme ADAMTS13 by autoantibodies. This provides the rationale for the use of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, as an effective treatment. Multiple reports have indicated success employing it in patients with TTP, but only a few have reported its use during remission as a prophylaxis to prevent a relapse. Herein, we report the case of a patient with chronic relapsing TTP who was successfully treated with prophylactic rituximab. We also provide a review of the literature on this topic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Roberto C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.forename: Bernard J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Poiesz
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000071120:ADAMTS13 Protein; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012008:Recurrence; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000071120:ADAMTS13 Protein; C099604:ADAMTS13 protein, human