TTP treatment with rituximab

PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed the case report “Chronic relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura successfully treated with rituximab (J Chemother. 2005 Aug;17(4):449-51). Authors of this case report are Gianfaldoni G, Antonioli E, Mannelli F et al., from Department of Hematology, University of Florence, University Hospital Careggi, Florence, Italy. Plasma therapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of idiopathic Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP); however about one-third of patients relapse. In this subset of patients different immunosuppressive approaches have been reported with variable efficacy. The authors describe the case of an 11-year-long chronic relapsing TTP, requiring frequent plasma exchange procedures and treated unsuccessfully with several immunosuppressive agents. On the occasion of a further relapse, the patient was treated with rituximab, and achieved normalization of hematological values and clinical status for about one year. Upon further relapse, rituximab therapy was started again successfully. A monthly administration was performed with the aim of maintaining the clinical and hematological response stable. In conclusion, rituximab is a safe and effective alternative to other immunosuppressive therapies for chronic relapsing TTP patients. To access the full abstract of the report, click here.