title: High dose methylprednisolone and rituximab is an effective therapy in advanced refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia resistant to fludarabine therapy.
abstract: The combination of high dose methylprednisolone and rituximab induces superior overall (93%) and complete (14%) response rates compared to high dose methylprednisolone alone (overall 43%, complete remission 0%) in heavily pre-treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with advanced disease. Despite its efficacy the combination is not easily manageable because of the high rate of opportunistic infections.
authors.forename: Moez
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dungarwalla
authors.forename: Steve O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Unell
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Catovsky
authors.forename: Clare E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dearden
authors.forename: Estella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matutes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine; D008775:Methylprednisolone