Radioimmunotherapy with (131)I-rituximab as consolidation therapy for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2016 Oct;78(4):825-31. doi: 10.1007/s00280-016-3140-5. Epub 2016 Aug 30.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical activity and toxicity of (131)I-rituximab as consolidation therapy for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who were treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisolone).

Methods: Patients who had been diagnosed with advanced stage (Ann Arbor III or IV) or bulky stage II DLBCL and achieved complete or partial response after six to eight cycles of R-CHOP were enrolled.

Results: A total of 16 patients were enrolled and treated with a single dose of (131)I-rituximab as consolidation therapy after the completion of six or eight cycles of R-CHOP between December 2005 and June 2011. This trial was terminated before the scheduled enrollment owing to low recruitment. Among the 16 patients who were treated with consolidative (131)I-rituximab, 6 achieved complete response (CR) after three cycles of R-CHOP, and another 9 patients further achieved CR after the completion of six or eight cycles of R-CHOP. During the median follow-up period of 73 months, only four patients (25 %) experienced relapse. Two-year relapse-free survival was 88 %, and 5-year relapse-free survival was 81 %. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related toxicity occurred in four patients and included neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions: (131)I-rituximab showed promising efficacy as consolidation treatment for patients with DLBCL. A future randomized phase III study to confirm our results is warranted.

Keywords: 131I-rituximab; Consolidation; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; Phase II trial; Radioimmunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / radiotherapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Radioimmunotherapy / methods*
  • Rituximab / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone

Supplementary concepts

  • CHOP protocol