Lower dose rituximab is active in adults patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Zaja, Francesco
- Battista, Marta Lisa
- Pirrotta, Maria Teresa
- Palmieri, Salvatore
- Montagna, Michela
- Vianelli, Nicola
- Marin, Luciana
- Cavallin, Margherita
- Bocchia, Monica
- Defina, Marzia
- IPPOLITI, MICAELA
- Ferrara, Felicetto
- Patriarca, Francesca
- Avanzini, Maria Antonietta
- Regazzi, Mario
- Baccarani, Michele
- Isola, Miriam
- Soldano, Franca
- Fanin, Renato
DOIAbstract
Rituximab 375 mg/m2weekly for four weeks has significant activity in patients with immune thrombocytopenia. We evaluated the activity of lower dose rituximab (100 mg iv weekly for 4 weeks) in 28 adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Overall (platelet count > 50×109/L) and complete responses (platelet count > 100×109/L) were achieved in 21/28 (75%) and 12/28 (43%) patients respectively. The median time to response and time to complete response were 31 and 44 days respectively. After a median follow-up of 11 months (range 3-18), 7/21 (33%) patients relapsed and 3 needed further treatments. In patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, lower dose rituximab seems to show similar activity to standard dose. ©2008 Ferrata ...