Rituximab in the treatment of refractory autoimmune cytopenias in adults

Abstract

We report the results of four cycles of rituximab therapy in eleven patients with chronic warm antibody type autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and six patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP). The overall response rate was 64% in the AIHA group (3 complete responses and 4 partial responses) and 83% in the ITP group (4 complete responses, 1 partial response). Responses in AIHA patients with underlying lymphoproliferative disorders receiving rituximab with chemotherapy were generally better sustained, whereas responses in ITP were often transient.