title: Significant efficacy of 2-CdA with or without rituximab in the treatment of splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) with or without villous lymphocytes is an indolent lymphoma that typically affects elderly patients. Treatment is required in symptomatic cases. Splenectomy remains one of the first-line options in patients fit for surgery. The best therapeutic strategy has not yet been identified. Among different possible chemotherapeutic approaches, purine analogues, alone or in association with rituximab, seem to be a valid therapeutic choice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty SMZL patients were treated with cladribine with or without anti-CD20 mAb.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six of 50 patients were assessable for response. Overall response rate was 87%: 24 of 46 patients (52%) achieved a complete hematological response (CR), 16 of 46 (35%) a partial response and 6 (13%) were unresponsive. Interestingly, 15 of 24 cases (62%) in CR also achieved a molecular remission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results indicate that this schedule is a valid therapeutic approach in SMZL. Addition of rituximab significantly improved quality of response and consequently the outcome of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advances in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: juliacervetti@alice.it.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cervetti
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advances in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galimberti
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advances in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sordi
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advances in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buda
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advances in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Orciuolo
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advances in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cecconi
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advances in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrini
mesh_terms: D015762:2-Chloroadenosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003839:Deoxyadenosines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D003839:Deoxyadenosines; D015762:2-Chloroadenosine; D000069283:Rituximab; C055994:2-chloro-3'-deoxyadenosine