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.
Rituximab in Previously Treated Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients: Evaluation of Short- and Long-Term Efficacy and Safety / Santoro, Cristina; Biondo, F; Baldacci, Erminia; De Propris, Ms; Guarini, Anna; Paoloni, F; Foa, Roberto; Mazzucconi, Maria Gabriella. - In: ACTA HAEMATOLOGICA. - ISSN 0001-5792. - 132:1(2013), pp. 24-29. [10.1159/000355650]
Rituximab in Previously Treated Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients: Evaluation of Short- and Long-Term Efficacy and Safety.
SANTORO, Cristina;BALDACCI, Erminia;GUARINI, Anna;FOA, Roberto;MAZZUCCONI, Maria Gabriella
2013
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.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.