title: Delay in B-lymphocyte recovery and function following rituximab for EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease early post-allogeneic hematopoietic SCT.
abstract: Treatment with rituximab is highly effective for EBV-associated post transplant lymphoproliferative disease. However, little is known about its immunological sequelae in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). Time to normal CD19+ B-lymphocyte values in blood and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) substitution needed to maintain an IgG>400 mg per 100 ml in six consecutive pediatric allogeneic HSCT patients treated with rituximab for symptomatic EBV reactivation were compared with a matched cohort of non-rituximab-treated patients. Follow-up of the six patients ranged from 149 to 1546 days; all but one survived. The mean (+/-s.d.) time to recovery of CD19+ B-lymphocytes was 353+/-142 days as compared with 139+/-42 in the controls (P<0.01). Similarly, substitution of IVIG as a measure of functional B-cell recovery was extended from a mean of 122+/-45 to a mean of 647+/-320 days, and the cumulative dose of IVIG increased from a mean of 1.86+/-0.51 to 4.4+/-0.97 g/kg, respectively (P<0.05). One patient had functional B-lymphocyte deficiency for >3 years and ultimately required two stem cell boosts. Rituximab is a live-saving treatment for pediatric HSCT patients but may lead to prolonged and even persistent B-cell deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Masjosthusmann
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ehlert
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Eing
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Juergens
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fruehwald
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Groll
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007223:Infant; D007700:Kinetics; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D000069283:Rituximab; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D000069283:Rituximab