Rituximab-induced acute thrombocytopenia in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody generally well tolerated. However, a severe but rare rituximab-related immune-toxic syndrome, associating fever, chills and thrombocytopenia can occur shortly after the infusion.We report a case of severe acute rituximab-induced thrombocytopenia with favorable outcome in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and discuss the possible underlying mechanisms.Despite the potential initial severity of rituximab-induced thrombocytopenia in CLL, chemotherapy should not be discontinued; tolerance might increase as the hematologic disorder is controlled.