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One year follow‐up of children and adolescents with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) treated with rituximab
Author(s) -
Mueller Brigitta U.,
Bennett Carolyn M.,
Feldman Henry A.,
Bussel James B.,
Abshire Thomas C.,
Moore Theodore B.,
Sawaf Hadi,
Loh Mig L.,
Rogers Zora R.,
Glader Bertil E.,
McCarthy Maggie C.,
Mahoney Donald H.,
Olson Thomas A.,
Feig Stephen A.,
Lorenzana Adonis N.,
Mentzer William C.,
Buchanan George R.,
Neufeld Ellis J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21757
Subject(s) - medicine , rituximab , platelet , thrombocytopenic purpura , immune thrombocytopenia , gastroenterology , purpura (gastropod) , prospective cohort study , immune system , surgery , immunology , lymphoma , ecology , biology
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%). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:259–262. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.