title: Fractionated subcutaneous rituximab is well-tolerated and preserves CD20 expression on tumor cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: A pilot study previously demonstrated that thrice-weekly, fractionated-dose intravenous rituximab (RTX) limits CD20 loss from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells, thereby enhancing immunotherapeutic targeting. Here, we investigated the feasibility of giving 20 mg rituximab subcutaneously thrice weekly for up to 12 weeks in 4 previously treated CLL patients. Subcutaneous rituximab was well-tolerated with minimal injection site reactions; a variable degree of efficacy was observed, likely influenced by the size of the patients' B cell/CD20 burden. Subcutaneous RTX largely preserved CD20 expression on leukemic cells but the most effective therapeutic dosing regimen needs to be established (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00366418).
authors.affiliation: Hematology Branch, NHLBI, NIH Bldg. 10, CRC 3-5140, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, 20892-1202 USA. wiestnera@mail.nih.gov / Ronald P. Taylor, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA. E-mail: rpt@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aue
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lindorfer
authors.forename: Paul V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Beum
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Pawluczkowycz
authors.forename: Berengere
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vire
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Ronald P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiestner
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000235:genetics*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab
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