title: [Rituximab in the treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].
abstract: Indolent Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are a group of slowly progressive immune system malignancies that cannot be cured with conventional treatment. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has recently become a part of the standard treatment of B-cell lymphoid malignancies. Here we present our experience in 25 patients with indolent NHL treated with rituximab with or without chemotherapy. Rituximab was administered at 3-4 week intervals in the standard dose of 375 mg/m2. 88% of the patients responded, 16 achieved a complete and 6 partial remission. Estimated 2-year actuarial survival is 63%. Response and survival rates were significantly better in patients with favorable prognosis (lower IPI score). Adverse effects related to rituximab occurred in 2 patients and were mild. Our results are completely comparable to previously reported studies and show that rituximab is effective and safe for the treatment of indolent B-cell NHL.
authors.affiliation: Zavod za hematologiju, Klinika za unutarnje bolesti Medicinskog fakulteta i Klinickoga bolnickog centra, Zagreb.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aurer
authors.forename: Zdravko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mitrović
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Radman
authors.forename: Jasminka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kovacević-Metelko
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nemet
authors.forename: Ranka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serventi-Seiwerth
authors.forename: Ranka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stern-Padovan
authors.forename: Jasminka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jakic-Razumović
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nola
authors.forename: Silva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zupancić-Salek
authors.forename: Dubravka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sertić
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Labar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab