[The effectiveness of rituximab in refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and haemolytic anaemia]. / Efectividad de rituximab en púrpura tombocitopénica y anemia hemolítica autoinmune refractarias.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with rituximab in patients presenting autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and haemolytic anaemia. METHOD: A check was carried out of the medical records of the patients starting treatment with rituximab for compassionate use in 2004 at doses of 375 mg/m2 per week for 4 weeks. The rate of patients achieving full response in accordance with the best criteria found in the bibliography was assessed. All adverse reactions described in the medical records were gathered. RESULTS: Six patients with thrombocytopenic purpura were candidates for treatment. Five began treatment, four of them completed treatment, and three of these patients achieved full response. This response was achieved at different times and was sustained for at least six months. Two patients with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia were treated and both achieved full response again at different times and in this case, it was sustained for at least 8 months. One patient suffered mild adverse reactions to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Rituximab is a new perspective for the treatment of refractory autoimmune cytopenias, and has a good safety profile.

Efectividad de rituximab en púrpura tombocitopénica y anemia hemolítica autoinmune refractarias / No disponible

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad y seguridad del tratamiento con rituximab en pacientes con púrpura trombocitopénica y anemia hemolítica autoinmune. Método: Se han revisado las historias clínicas de los pacientes que iniciaron tratamiento con rituximab como uso compasivo en el año 2004 a dosis de 375 mg/m2 semanal durante 4 semanas. Se evaluó la tasa de pacientes que alcanzó respuesta completa según los mejores criterios encontrados en la bibliografía. Se recogieron las reacciones adversas descritas en la historia clínica. Resultados: Seis pacientes con púrpura trombocitopénica autoinmune fueron candidatos a tratamiento. Cinco iniciaron tratamiento, cuatro de ellos completaron el tratamiento, de los cuales tres obtuvieron respuesta completa. Dicha respuesta es alcanzada en diferentes tiempos y es mantenida al menos durante 6 meses. Dos pacientes con anemia hemolítica autoinmune fueron tratados y ambos alcanzaron respuesta completa también en diferentes tiempos y esta se mantuvo al menos durante 8 meses. Las reacciones adversas al tratamiento que sufrió algún paciente fueron leves. Conclusiones: Rituximab es una nueva expectativa al tratamiento de citopenias autoinmunes refractarias, con un buen perfil de seguridad

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with rituximab in patients presenting autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and haemolytic anaemia. Method: A check was carried out of the medical records of the patients starting treatment with rituximab for compassionate use in 2004 at doses of 375 mg/m2 per week for 4 weeks. The rate of patients achieving full response in accordance with the best criteria found in the bibliography was assessed. All adverse reactions described in the medical records were gathered. Results: Six patients with thrombocytopenic purpura were candidates for treatment. Five began treatment, four of them completed treatment, and three of these patients achieved full response. This response was achieved at different times and was sustained for at least six months. Two patients with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia were treated and both achieved full response again at different times and in this case, it was sustained for at least 8 months. One patient suffered mild adverse reactions to treatment. Conclusions: Rituximab is a new perspective for the treatment of refractory autoimmune cytopenias, and has a good safety profile