Activity and safety profile of low-dose rituximab for the treatment of autoimmune cytopenias in adults

Authors:
  • TBT. Butler
    T. Butler
  • MEM. L. Evangelista
    M. L. Evangelista
  • ANA. C. Newland
    A. C. Newland
  • RSR. Stasi
    R. Stasi
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive patients with various autoimmune cytopenias who failed to respond to conventional treatments and received a fixed-dose regimen of rituximab (100 mg weekly for 4 consecutive weeks). Sustained complete responses were achieved in 4 out of 7 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and in 1 patient with autoimmune pancytopenia. A partial response was observed in 1 patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The immunotherapy had no effect in 1 patient with pure red cell aplasia or in 1 patient with autoimmune neutropenia. No infusion-related or delayed toxicities attributable to rituximab were experienced by any of the patients.