title: Rituximab in previously treated primary immune thrombocytopenia patients: evaluation of short- and long-term efficacy and safety.
abstract: The anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody rituximab has been effectively used in the treatment of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (pITP). We retrospectively evaluated 19 patients affected by pITP resistant to 2 or more lines of therapy who were treated with rituximab. Nine of the 19 patients showed an initial response (47.4%). The sustained response rate was 31.6% (6/19). The median follow-up of the patients was 53.2 months (range 9.2-92.9). Disease-free survival at 48 months was 62.2%. Following rituximab treatment, a proportion of patients (42%) recovered a normal B lymphocyte number. During the follow-up, no opportunistic or severe infectious complications were observed. These data confirm, over a long period of observation, the efficacy and safety of rituximab treatment in the management of patients with resistant pITP.
authors.affiliation: Hematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Biondo
authors.forename: Erminia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldacci
authors.forename: Maria Stefania
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: De Propris
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guarini
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paoloni
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foà
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mazzucconi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab