[Anti-CD20 antibodies in primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. Initial results in dermatologic patients].
OBJECTIVE
Primary cutaneous B cell lymphomas (pCBCL) are rare extra-cutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphomas which occur on the trunk as follicle center cell lymphoma or on the leg as large B cell lymphoma. The currently accepted therapy of pCBCL (excision and/or radiotherapy, systemic interleukin 2 and interferon alpha 2a, local injection of cisplatin or multiagent chemotherapy, i.e. CHOP) is insufficient for treatment of multifocal pCBCL and secondary extracutaneous involvement. For this reason, the new synthetic chimeric, monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody Rituximab is an alternative treatment for patients with pCBCL.


METHODS
Four patients with pCBCL localized to the trunk or head were treated with Rituximab (375 mg/kg weekly for 4-8 weeks, then maintenance therapy every 4 weeks for 6 months).


RESULTS
All 4 patients showed a response (2/4 partial; 2/4 complete). Side effects were minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
Rituximab is an alternative immunotherapeutic drug for the treatment of pCBCL. Our initial experience with this new modality are presented and discussed.
Gellrich
S
S
Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie mit Asthmapoliklinik, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117 Berlin. Sylke.Gellrich@charite.de
Muche
J M
JM
Pelzer
K
K
Audring
H
H
Sterry
W
W
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab