Rituximab chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment for adult refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is an autoimmune disease which involves opsonization of platelets by autoantibodies directed against different surface glycoproteins, leading to their premature destruction by the reticuloendothelial system. Management of patients with refractory ITP is difficult. Recent studies have shown that rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is useful in the treatment of these patients, with overall response rates of about 50%.

Utility of testing for monoclonal bands in serum of patients with suspected osteoporosis: retrospective, cross sectional study.

Objective: To determine whether measuring monoclonal bands (M component) in serum should be part of the investigation of patients referred to osteoporosis clinics.

Design: Retrospective, cross sectional, observational study.

Setting: Referral centre for osteoporosis in a university hospital, Denmark.