Successful Rituximab Treatment in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Patients Complicated by Other Autoimmune Disorders: Two Case Reports.

Journal: Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
Published:
Abstract

We herein report two cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) complicated by other autoimmune disorders, autoimmune hepatitis and immune thrombocytopenia, respectively. In both cases, corticosteroids were continuously administered for the treatment of preceding autoimmune disorders. However, a sufficient objective response for TTP was not obtained by plasma exchange and corticosteroid treatment. Once a week rituximab (375 mg/m2) treatment for 4 times was initiated within 2 weeks from the diagnosis. Both patients achieved a sufficient response, and have never had any recurrence as of the last follow-up dates. The early introduction of rituximab could be an effective treatment option in TTP patients complicated with other autoimmune disorders.

Authors
Aya Watanabe, Masayuki Shiseki, Megumi Oishi, Maya Kobayashi, Shoko Oshima, Satoko Osanai, Michiko Ryuzaki, Yuki Izuka, Norina Tanaka, Midori Ishiyama, Akihito Shinohara, Hiroshi Kazama, Shotaro Hagiwara, Kentaro Yoshinaga, Junji Tanaka