Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-1-13
pubmed:abstractText
The development of antibodies to factor VIII (FVIII) in severely affected haemophilia A patients is a serious complication associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Bypassing agents are used to treat acute bleeding episodes; however, elimination of the inhibitors can only be achieved with immune tolerance therapy (ITT) in 60-80% of cases. High responding (HR) inhibitors are more likely to respond to ITT if the titre is decreased to <5 BU over time or in selected cases after the administration of immunosuppressive drugs, plasmapheresis or immunoabsorption, techniques difficult to apply in children. Anti-CD20 (rituximab), a monoclonal antibody, was given as an alternative treatment in two haemophilic children with HR inhibitors and impaired quality of life, due to recurrent haemarthrosis. Rituximab was given at the dose of 375 mg m(-2), once weekly for four consecutive weeks. Both patients showed a partial response to rituximab reducing the inhibitor titre to <5 BU, thus facilitating ITT initiation; however, only the older patient eradicated the inhibitor within 21 days after application of ITT. The second patient, despite depletion of B cells, did not respond to ITT. No long-term side effects have been observed in both patients for a follow-up period of 20 and 18 months respectively. In conclusion, rituximab appears to be an alternative effective therapy to rapidly reduce or eliminate the inhibitor in selected cases of severely affected haemophiliacs before further proceeding to ITT. However, the dose and appropriate schedule, as well as long-term side effects need further investigation.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
1351-8216
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
12
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
95-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Adolescent, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Antibodies, Monoclonal, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Antibody Formation, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Antigens, CD19, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Child, Preschool, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Factor VIII, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Hemophilia A, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Immune Tolerance, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Immunity, Cellular, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Immunoglobulin G, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Immunoglobulin M, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Immunologic Factors, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Immunotherapy, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Male, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Quality of Life, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Severity of Illness Index, pubmed-meshheading:16409183-Treatment Outcome
pubmed:year
2006
pubmed:articleTitle
Rituximab in the treatment of high responding inhibitors in severe haemophilia A.
pubmed:affiliation
Hematology-Oncology Unit, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Case Reports