title: Rituximab monotherapy as interim therapy in precursor B-ALL adults during periods of hepatic toxicity: report of two cases.
abstract: Precursor B-ALL blasts may be positive for CD20 in up to 50% of cases. There are few reports on the use of the anti CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, in children with B-ALL. We report on two adult patients with precursor B-ALL who developed significant hepatic toxicity during induction chemotherapy. Single agent rituximab was given until recovery of liver enzymes was established. Both patients were able to continue further chemotherapy, underwent an Allo BMT and are now 10-12 months after diagnosis in a continuous CR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. m.koren.michowitz@gmail.com
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koren-Michowitz
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rahimi-Levene
authors.forename: Yulia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Volcheck
authors.forename: Izhar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hardan
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kornberg
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab