OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cytokine production and surface marker composition of B cells in adult patients with newly diagnosed primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) before and 12 months after treatment with rituximab + dexamethasone (RTX+DXM) or dexamethasone (DXM).

METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from nine patients treated with RTX+DXM, seven patients treated with DXM, and seven healthy donors. Expression of the cell-surface markers CD5, CD27, CD25, and CD19, and intracellular content of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: PBMCs from ITP patients at baseline contained a lower proportion of IL-10+ B cells (P < .01) and IL-6+ B cells (P < .01) than healthy controls. All patients responded to therapy and levels were normalized at 12 months. The proportion of CD5+ B cells increased (P < .01) and CD27+ memory B cells decreased (P < .05) 12 months after treatment with RTX+DXM compared to baseline, with an inverse correlation between platelet numbers and the proportion of CD27+ B cells (R = -0.71; P < .05).

CONCLUSION: Both treatment regimens normalized the frequencies of cytokine-producing B cells. The additional increase in CD5+ B cells after RTX+DXM is compatible with induction of Bregs.