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Relapsing or refractory idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura‐hemolytic uremic syndrome: the role of rituximab
Author(s) -
Caramazza Domenica,
Quintini Gerlando,
Abbene Ignazio,
Malato Alessandra,
Saccullo Giorgia,
Coco Lucio Lo,
Di Trapani Rosa,
Palazzolo Roberto,
Barone Rita,
Mazzola Giuseppina,
Rizzo Sergio,
Ragonese Paolo,
Aridon Paolo,
Abbadessa Vincenzo,
Siragusa Sergio
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2010.02763.x
Subject(s) - rituximab , thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura , medicine , refractory (planetary science) , plasmapheresis , autoantibody , immunology , thrombocytopenic purpura , cd20 , thrombotic microangiopathy , monoclonal , hemolytic anemia , autoimmunity , gastroenterology , monoclonal antibody , antibody , disease , platelet , physics , astrobiology
Idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura–hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP‐HUS) is a rare disease responsive to treatment with plasma exchange (PE) but with a high percentage of relapse or refractory patients. A severe deficiency of ADAMTS‐13 (<5% of normal activity), congenital or caused by an autoantibody, may be specific for TTP and it has been proposed that severe ADAMTS‐13 deficiency now defines TTP. B cells play a key role in both the development and the perpetuation of autoimmunity, suggesting that B‐cell depletion could be a valuable treatment approach for patients with idiopathic TTP‐HUS. This review of the literature focuses on the role of rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against CD20 antigen expressed by B lymphocytes, in patients with relapsing or refractory TTP‐HUS with or without ADAMTS‐13 deficiency, suggesting that rituximab may produce clinical remission in a significant proportion of patients. Rituximab therapy reduces plasma requirement and avoids complications related to salvage‐immunosuppressive therapy. In conclusion, rituximab provides an effective, well‐tolerated, and safe treatment option for patients with idiopathic TTP‐HUS, thus giving an alternative approach to the current treatment based on PE.