Efficacy of low-dose rituximab in combination with recombinant human thrombopoietin in treating ITP

Y. Li, Y.-Y. Wang, H.-R. Fei, L. Wang, C.-L. Yuan

Department of Hematology, Qing-dao Central Hospital, Qing-dao, China. lyyycn@yeah.net

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• Hematology

OBJECTIVE: This work aims to observe the efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab in combination with recombinant human thrombopoietin in treating immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen ITP patients were treated four times with 100 mg qw of rituximab in combination with 300 µg/kg/d ih recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) for 14 d. Platelet count in peripheral blood, serum immunoglobulin, and lymphocyte subgroups by flow cytometry were detected regularly both pre- and post-treatment.

RESULTS: Among the 14 patients, seven complete responses, six responses, and one no response were obtained, with an overall response of 93%.

CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose rituximab in combination with rhTPO is effective in treating ITP.

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