3 Rs: Rituximab, remission, relapse

Abstract

The use of rituximab in the treatment of acquired autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has increased, becoming a standard of care for patients with relapsed TTP or patients who do not achieve a stable remission with plasma exchange therapy (PEX) plus steroids. In this issue of Blood, Scully et al report their findings that rituximab as an adjunct to PEX and steroids for initial therapy of acquired TTP significantly reduced the risk of relapse compared with historical controls.1 These findings suggest that rituximab may be beneficial when used as an adjunct to PEX in the initial therapy of acquired TTP.