Vol 2, No 1 (2011)
Case report
Published online: 2011-03-24
Efficacy of rituximab in refractory primary immune thrombocytopenia
Hematologia 2011;2(1):88-91.
Abstract
This paper presents the case report of efficient use of rituximab in the treatment of refractory
primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Despite initial response to corticosteroids, most
adults relapse during corticosteroid taper. Splenectomy should be taken into consideration in
such situations. Those whom splenectomy fails to cure present a therapeutic challenge. Subsequent
management usually involves some form of chronic immune suppression which, however,
has serious side effects. The case of patient with refractory ITP, who achieved increased
platelet counts and then the remission of disease after treatment with rituximab, is discussed
in this paper.
Hematologia 2011; 2, 1: 8891
Hematologia 2011; 2, 1: 8891
Keywords: primary immune thrombocytopeniarefractorytreatmentrituximab