One year follow-up of children and adolescents with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) treated with rituximab.

Background: We previously showed in a prospective study that rituximab appears to be effective in some children and adolescents with severe chronic immune thrombocytopenia. Eleven of 36 patients achieved and maintained platelet counts over 50,000/mm(3) within the first 12 weeks. These patients were followed for the next year.
Methods: Platelet counts were monitored monthly and all subsequent bleeding manifestations and need for further treatment was noted.
Results: Eight of the 11 initial responders maintained a platelet count over 150,000/mm(3) without further treatment intervention. Three patients had a late relapse. One initial non-responder achieved a remission after 16 weeks, and two additional patients maintained platelet counts around 50,000/mm(3) without the need for further intervention.
Conclusions: Rituximab resulted in sustained efficacy with platelet counts of 50,000/mm(3) or higher in 11 of 36 patients (31%).
((c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)