Abstract
Growing understanding of the important role of B lymphocytes in alloreactivity has paved the way for evaluating anti-B cell therapy with rituximab in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Data suggesting a beneficial reduction in incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are limited to non-randomized studies from single institutions using higher than conventional doses of rituximab. Additionally, rituximab is used as an effective treatment of corticosteroid-refractory chronic GVHD with good responses, particularly in cases of dermatologic and mucosal involvement. Post-transplant administration of rituximab appears to reduce the rate of chronic GVHD in preliminary studies.
MeSH terms
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
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Adult
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived* / administration & dosage
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived* / therapeutic use
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
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B-Lymphocytes* / drug effects
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B-Lymphocytes* / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes* / pathology
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Clinical Trials as Topic
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Drug Administration Routes
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
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Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
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Humans
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Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology*
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Lymphoma, B-Cell / physiopathology
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Lymphoma, B-Cell / therapy
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Melphalan / administration & dosage
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Middle Aged
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Procarbazine / administration & dosage
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Rituximab
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Transplantation Conditioning / adverse effects
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Transplantation Conditioning / methods*
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Transplantation, Homologous
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Vinblastine / administration & dosage
Substances
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Procarbazine
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Rituximab
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Vinblastine
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Melphalan