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Rituximab — a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen of B-lymphocytes — elicits remission in patients with immune thrombocytopenia. To assess the durability of response to rituximab, a multinational team of investigators conducted a retrospective review of studies involving 138 patients who achieved complete or partial response: 66 children (median age, 12.2 years) with response of any duration and 72 adults (mean age, 39.0) with response lasting >1 year. To obtain long-term follow-up data, the researchers conducted a chart review, telephone interview, or visit to the treatment facility for each patient.
The median duration of immune thrombocytopenia prior to rituximab treatment was 20 months for children and 3 years for adult…