title: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) for therapy of CD20-positive nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma in an 10-year-old girl.
abstract: Biologic treatments including antibody-based therapies are still in early-phase development in Hodgkin lymphoma. The authors present the case of a 10-year-old girl with massive, solid, unilateral cervical, nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Chemotherapy (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine [ABVD]) and radiotherapy were given, according to the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) MH-96 study protocol, but the patient failed to enter complete remission. Soon after, 6 intravenous infusions of the chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab 375 mg/m2 were administered, resulting in complete remission. The patients is still in continuous complete remission for 2 years. Novel therapies, such as rituximab, may be useful for children with CD20+ nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of CD20+ nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma treated with rituximab in children. Further controlled trials and long-term outcome studies are warranted to define its clinical application and to improve the care of patients.
authors.affiliation: Paediatrics Clinic, Clinical Hospital, Split, Croatia. srdjana.culic@st.htnet.hr
authors.forename: Srdana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Culić
authors.forename: Visnja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Armanda
authors.forename: Dubravka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kuljis
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kuzmic
authors.forename: Ankica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pranic-Kragic
authors.forename: Stipan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jankovic
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D001761:Bleomycin; D000069283:Rituximab; D014747:Vinblastine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D004317:Doxorubicin