title: Single agent efficacy of rituximab in childhood immunosuppression related lymphoproliferative disease: a United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) retrospective review.
abstract: Survival in childhood lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) remains poor, particularly in non-transplant patients. The anti-CD20 antibody rituximab shows promise but data in children is scant. A retrospective study of 22 (aged 11 months to 18 years) children treated with rituximab is presented. Two had primary immunodeficiency, two had prolonged immunosuppression and 18 had post-transplant LPD (eight bone marrow, five liver, four heart, one kidney). Nine patients had multi-organ involvement and 13 single site disease. Seventeen out of 22 had rituximab alone. In 16, a dose of 375 mg/m2 i.v. weekly was used (less in one patient due to renal dysfunction). Twelve patients received four courses and ten patients received one to three courses. Fever was the main side-effect in four. Eight (47%) had single agent response; four complete and four partial. All had other treatment prior to rituximab. Median follow-up was 35 months (range 22 - 47 months). In childhood LPD unresponsive to standard treatment, rituximab showed single agent response and requires further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: Boo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Messahel
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Taj
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hobson
authors.forename: Nedim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hadzic
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hann
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinkerton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab