Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) therapy for progressive intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after high-dose therapy and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplant. 1999 Sep;24(5):521-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701944.

Abstract

We evaluated the response and toxicity of rituximab in the setting of progressive intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) after autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT). Seven patients with a median age of 59 years (45-62), ECOG performance status 0-1, and CD20-positive diffuse large cell lymphoma with progression after PSCT were treated. All patients initially received 4-weekly infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m2). The maximum response was three CR and four PR. Median progression-free survival was 197 days (range 60-282). With a median follow-up of 204 (115-299) days, the patients' disease status is classified as two CR, one PR, and four PD. Four of five patients with ECOG performance status of 1 prior to treatment showed improvement to status 0 after treatment with rituximab. While follow-up is short, these results suggest that rituximab has significant activity in intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has relapsed after PSCT.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive* / adverse effects
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / mortality
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / radiotherapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / mortality
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / radiotherapy
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rituximab
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Rituximab