Serum BLyS levels increase after rituximab as initial therapy in patients with follicular Grade 1 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Serum B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) levels are elevated in a subset of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients, particularly those with a family history of B-cell malignancies or a polymorphism in the BLyS gene. BLyS promotes growth of malignant B-cells and increased serum BLyS levels are associated with a poor clinical outcome. In this study, BLyS levels were measured before and after 4 weekly doses of rituximab in 30 patients with previously untreated follicular Grade 1 NHL. A significant increase was seen in the serum levels of BLyS (P = 0.0001) after rituximab therapy. The increase was independent of genetic variability in the BLyS gene.
Ansell
Stephen M
SM
Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. ansell.stephen@mayo.edu
Novak
Anne J
AJ
Ziesmer
Steven
S
Price-Troska
Tammy
T
LaPlant
Betsy
B
Dillon
Stacey R
SR
Witzig
Thomas E
TE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D018450:Disease Progression; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D000069283:Rituximab