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%.