Efficacy and safety of rituximab therapy for refractory/relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
- Author:
Jing CUI
1
;
Tie-nan ZHU
;
Nong ZOU
;
Miao CHEN
;
Yong-qiang ZHAO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; drug therapy; Retrospective Studies; Rituximab; Salvage Therapy; Treatment Outcome
- From: Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2013;35(1):116-120
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in treating patients with refractory and/or relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
METHODSTotally three patients received rituximab as salvage therapy in our hospital. Rituximab was administered at a weekly dose of 375 mg/m(2) for 2 or 4 consecutive weeks. After clinical remission, patients were followed up every 3 months.
RESULTSAll three patients achieved complete remission. The median time to platelet count recovery was 7 days (4-12 days) after the first rituximab infusion. During the follow-up (median: 12 months; range: 9-18 months), no patients experienced relapse. No side effect was noted during treatment and follow-up period.
CONCLUSIONTherapy with rituximab is effective and well tolerated for patients with refractory or relapsing TTP.
