[Efficacy and safety of two different low-dose rituximab regimens for Chinese adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of two different regimens of low doses rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). METHODS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled in this study and was non-randomly assigned to receive 100 mg rituximab weekly for 4 weeks (group A, 31 cases) or a single dose of 375 mg/m2 rituximab (group B, 20 cases). RESULTS: For group A: Overall and complete response (OR and CR) rates were 58% and 29% , respectively. In responders, the median time to response was 42 (10 -101) days, with a median follow-up time of 15 (10 - 16) months, 3 of 18 responders (17%) relapsed. For group B: OR and CR rates were 50% and 35% , respectively. In responders, the median time to response was 35 (18 - 108) days, with a median follow-up time of 13 (6 -17) months, 1 of 9 responders (11%) relapsed. No significant difference in the OR, CR, the relapse rate and relapse free survival was observed in patients between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The low dose rituximab regimen (100 mg weekly for 4 weeks or a single close of 375 mg/m2) may be a useful alternative therapy in patients with ITP.