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Long-term remission induced by low-dose rituximab for relapsed and refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A report of two cases.
- Source :
- Experimental & Therapeutic Medicine; Dec2015, Vol. 10 Issue 6, p2295-2298, 4p
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is acquired in the majority of cases. Traditional therapy consists of plasma exchange (PEX), as well as the administration of certain immunosuppressive agents including steroids. A standard dose of rituximab (RTX) at 375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 consecutive weeks was recently demonstrated to have significant activity in patients with acquired TTP. To date, clinicians have limited experience using low-dose RTX. In the present study, 2 patients were treated with low-dose RTX at 100 mg weekly for 4 consecutive weeks as a salvage therapy following failure to respond to PEX and other immunosuppressive agents. Prior to RTX therapy, the patients had severely deficient ADAMTS13 activity and detectable anti-ADAMTS13 inhibitors. The patients achieved complete remission and presented long-term stabilization during follow-up. Repeated detection during follow-up demonstrated that the patients had 100% ADAMTS13 activity and undetectable anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies. Although further investigation in a prospective clinical trial is required, the use of low-dose RTX seems to be as effective as a standard dose for patients with relapsing or refractory acquired TTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17920981
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Experimental & Therapeutic Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 111890170
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2797