[Rituximab in the treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].
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.
Aurer
Igor
I
Zavod za hematologiju, Klinika za unutarnje bolesti Medicinskog fakulteta i Klinickoga bolnickog centra, Zagreb.
Mitrović
Zdravko
Z
Radman
Ivo
I
Kovacević-Metelko
Jasminka
J
Nemet
Damir
D
Serventi-Seiwerth
Ranka
R
Stern-Padovan
Ranka
R
Jakic-Razumović
Jasminka
J
Nola
Marin
M
Zupancić-Salek
Silva
S
Sertić
Dubravka
D
Labar
Boris
B
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
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab