[Successful treatment with rituximab in a patient with refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to plasma exchange]

Abstract

We report a patient with refractory idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) who was successfully treated with rituximab. A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with progressive psychoneurotic symptoms, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. The diagnosis of TTP was confirmed by the absence of ADAMTS13 activity with the presence of circulating ADAMTS13 inhibitor. High-dose steroid therapy and plasma exchange were performed. Despite 21 sessions of plasma exchange, however, there was no remarkable improvement. We then administered rituximab. Fifteen days after the first infusion of rituximab, she achieved complete remission and ADAMTS13 activity increased up to 14%. The patient has remained in remission for more than 9 months.