Efficacy and safety of rituximab therapy for refractory/relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura / 中国医学科学院学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in treating patients with refractory and/or relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally three patients received rituximab as salvage therapy in our hospital. Rituximab was administered at a weekly dose of 375 mg/m(2) for 2 or 4 consecutive weeks. After clinical remission, patients were followed up every 3 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All three patients achieved complete remission. The median time to platelet count recovery was 7 days (4-12 days) after the first rituximab infusion. During the follow-up (median 12 months; range 9-18 months), no patients experienced relapse. No side effect was noted during treatment and follow-up period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Therapy with rituximab is effective and well tolerated for patients with refractory or relapsing TTP.</p>