Rituximab as in vivo purging agent in autologous stem cell transplantation for relapsed B-NHL.
In vivo purging may avoid relapse after high dose therapy (HDT) for relapsed lymphoma. Therefore, we have evaluated feasibility and efficacy of Rituximab as in vivo purging agent included into a sequential salvage protocol for CD20+ B-NHL in chemosensitive relapse or induction failure. Thirty seven patients were treated within this protocol and in 36/37 a stem cell product could be acquired with rare NHL contamination. Overall, due to the intensity of treatment there has been a substantial morbidity, including high rates of viral reactivation. However, only one patient died during treatment due to sepsis. Response rates were favourable with an overall response rate of 97% (with 30/35CR). With a maximum follow up of 3.5 years, 15 patients relapsed. Overall, the treatment protocol has proven feasible with high purging efficiency and encouraging remission rates in this unfavourable patient group.
Hess
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III. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Flohr
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Derigs
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HG
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab