Rituximab in previously treated primary immune thrombocytopenia patients: evaluation of short- and long-term efficacy and safety

• Published in: Acta haematologica Vol. 132; no. 1; p. 24
• Main Authors: Santoro, Cristina, Biondo, Francesca, Baldacci, Erminia, De Propris, Maria Stefania, Guarini, Anna, Paoloni, Francesca, Foà, Roberto, Mazzucconi, Maria Gabriella
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived - adverse effects; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived - therapeutic use; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Middle Aged; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic - blood; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic - immunology; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic - therapy; Retrospective Studies; Rituximab; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1421-9662
• DOI: 10.1159/000355650

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.