title: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy in relapsed MALT lymphoma of the conjunctiva.
abstract: Low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the conjunctiva may be cured by radiotherapy, but complications are frequent and relapses may occur. Other treatment modalities including resection, cryotherapy, injection of interferon-alpha or systemic chemotherapy have been used with varying success. We treated two patients with relapsed extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (ENMZL) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of the conjunctiva with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab (375 mg/m2 intravenously once weekly for 4 wk) which has previously been shown to be effective in a variety of other B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Treatment was well tolerated and resulted in one partial and one complete remission. With a follow-up of 32 or 30 months, respectively, further recurrences have not been observed. Rituximab is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment of conjunctival MALT lymphoma, which may not only be of value in relapse, but also in cases of contraindication to radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Medical Faculty, University of Essen, Germany. holger.nueckel@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nückel
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meller
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Steuhl
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dührsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab