Rapid complete response using intrathecal rituximab in a patient with leptomeningeal lymphomatosis due to mantle cell lymphoma

Anticancer Drugs. 2008 Oct;19(9):917-20. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e32830cebc1.

Abstract

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a B-cell lymphoid tumor that expresses CD20 and is associated with a poor prognosis. Central nervous system involvement has been associated with particularly dismal outcome. We report a 62-year-old male with MCL and meningeal lymphomatosis. The patient was treated with intrathecal rituximab (IT-R) 25 mg every third day for five doses with clearance of tumor after the third dose. Systemic therapy consisted of R-HyperCVAD alternating with rituximab, high-dose methotrexate, and cytarabine every 21 days, with IT-R on day 1 of each chemotherapy cycle. The patient was consolidated with an autologous stem cell transplant and remains in remission 23 months later. The use of IT-R and conventional intrathecal chemotherapy in MCLs is discussed here.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / pathology
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Rituximab