Introduction: 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.
Case report: 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.
Conclusion: 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.
Keywords: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Cytokine release syndrome; Leucémie lymphoïde chronique; Rituximab; Syndrome de relargage des cytokines; Thrombocytopenia; Thrombopénie.
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