Rituximab associated to imatinib for coexisting therapy-related chronic myeloid leukaemia and relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Philadelphia positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) presenting synchronously or following non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has only rarely been reported. Herein, we refer on a case of Ph+ CML occurring after a breast cancer and a NHL with multiple relapses. After obtaining complete cytogenetic remission with imatinib, the patient presented a new NHL relapse, that was treated with rituximab concomitantly to imatinib. Therapy was well tolerated and the patient is presently alive in complete remission of either NHL and CML. We also reviewed the literature relating the uncommon association of these two unrelated diseases.
Breccia
Massimo
M
Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. breccia@bce.uniromal.it
Martelli
Maurizio
M
Cannella
Laura
L
Russo
Eleonora
E
Finolezzi
Erica
E
Stefanizzi
Caterina
C
Levi
Anna
A
Frustaci
Annamaria
A
Alimena
Giuliana
G
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069283:Rituximab