Activity of rituximab monotherapy in refractory splenic marginal zone lymphoma complicated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
We describe the case of a 61-year-old patient with refractory splenic marginal zone lymphoma and secondary autoimmune hemolytic anemia, both successfully treated with rituximab. This case demonstrates that rituximab monotherapy might also be a valid therapeutic approach in marginal zone lymphoma and autoimmune hemolytic anemia after failure of first-line treatment. Maintenance therapy, although expensive, could be useful to improve event-free survival in patients with unfavorable clinical behavior.
Fabbri
Alberto
A
Division of Hematology and Transplants, Policlinico S. Maria alle Scotte, and University of Siena, Italy. fabbri7@unisi.it
Gozzetti
Alessandro
A
Lazzi
Stefano
S
Lenoci
Mariapia
M
D'Amuri
Alessandro
A
Leoncini
Lorenzo
L
Lauria
Francesco
F
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069283:Rituximab; D013156:Splenectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D011241:Prednisone