Efficacy of low-dose rituximab in treatment of immune thrombocytopenia: An analysis of 32 cases

Objective To assess the value of low-dose rituximab in treatment of immune thrombocytopenia. Methods Clinical data about 32 patients with immune thrombocytopenia who were treated with low-dose rituximab in our hospital from January 2009 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the 32 cases, 29 cases could be assessed, including complete response in 18 cases, response in 5 cases, no response in 6 cases, with the total response rate of 79.3%. Newly diagnosed ITP were found in 6 cases, including complete response in 1 case, response in 2 cases, no response in 3 cases. Persistent ITP were found in 5 cases, including complete response in 4 cases, response in 1 case. Chronic ITP were found in 18 cases, including complete response in 13 cases, response in 2 cases, no response in 3 cases. According to the previous response, glucocorticoid were found to be active in 17 cases, including complete response in 2 cases, response in 2 cases, no response 3 in cases. While glucocorticoid were found to be inactive in 10 cases, including complete response in 6 cases, response in 3 cases, no response in 1 case. Conclusion Low-dose rituximab shows good effect in treatment of immune thrombocytopenia without any strong adverse, so it can be an effective secondline therapy for patients with ITP.