These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: [Rituximab treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Results of a phase II study].
    Author: Meo P, Stipa E, La Presa M, Bianchi M, Di Giulio C, Stasi R, Amadori S.
    Journal: Recenti Prog Med; 2002; 93(7-8):421-7. PubMed ID: 12138687.
    Abstract:
    In a recent article we indicated that rituximab is an active and safe drug in patients with chronic ITP. We report now the updated results of this study. Twenty-five individuals with chronic ITP were treated with intravenous rituximab at the dose of 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks. Rituximab infusion-related side effects were observed in 18 patients, but they were of modest intensity and did not require discontinuation of treatment. Long-term side effects included a decreased B-cell count of several months duration in most patients which, however, did not translate into a significant rate of infections. The overall response rate was 52%, with 7 cases showing a sustained response (6 months or longer). In 2 patients with relapsed disease, repeat challenge with rituximab induced a new response. In responders a significant rise in platelet concentrations was observed early during the course of treatment, usually 1 week after the first rituximab infusion. No clinical or laboratory parameter was found to predict treatment outcome. In conclusion, we confirm that rituximab can induce long-lasting responses in patients with chronic ITP and has a favorable side effect profile. Therefore, we suggest its use in refractory ITP cases.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]