Intrapleural instillation of rituximab for the treatment of malignant pleural effusions in NHL.
A patient with CD20(+) leukaemic lymphoplasmacytic Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) presented with bilateral malignant pleural effusions. Systemic chemotherapy, repeated percutaneous drainage and bilateral continous chest tube drainage were unable to control the effusions. Rituximab was instilled in a dose-escalating manner via the chest tubes into both pleural spaces, within two weeks the effusions resolved, and the patient has stayed free of symptoms for eight months ongoing. Rituximab may be a promising novel treatment option for malignant effusions in CD20(+) NHL.
Schmidt
H H
HH
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, University Medical School of Graz, Austria. helmut.schmidt@klinikum-graz.at <helmut.schmidt@klinikum-graz.at>
Renner
H
H
Linkesch
W
W
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000187:drug effects; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D000069283:Rituximab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab