title: Desensitization to rituximab in a multidisciplinary setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The need to offer first-line therapy to the increasing number of patients who have suffered an hypersensitivity reaction has stimulated the use of rapid desensitization protocols.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience working as a multidisciplinary team using a rituximab rapid desensitization scheme.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient demographics, allergic reaction, skin tests to rituximab, number of desensitizations, reactions during the desensitization protocol and actions taken, number of administered and completed cycles, were retrospectively collected in patients who received at least one desensitization to rituximab.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Number of desensitizations successfully managed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2012 and June 2013 five patients received a total of 19 desensitizations to rituximab using a 12 step rapid desensitization protocol. All patients received the scheduled chemotherapeutic cycles as inpatients, with no delay in administration dates. Three patients presented a hypersensitivity reaction during the first desensitization and in one patient the event occurred again during the second treatment cycle. All reactions occurred in the last step, when the infusion rate reached the maximum speed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The developed protocol for rapid desensitization was successful in five patients receiving rituximab. Patients could receive the full intended dose.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain. pamoros1@clinic.ub.es.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amorós-Reboredo
authors.affiliation: Allergy Unit, Pneumology and Respiratory Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic (ICT), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez-López
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bastida-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: do Pazo-Oubiña
authors.affiliation: Haematology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Borràs-Maixenchs
authors.affiliation: Haematology Department, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giné
authors.affiliation: Allergy Unit, Pneumology and Respiratory Department, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic (ICT), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valero
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Natàlia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Creus-Baró
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: Desensitization; Drug hypersensitivity; Rituximab; Spain