title: Usefulness and limitations of rituximab in managing patients with lymphoproliferative disorder after heart transplantation.
abstract: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders remain an uncommon complication of heart transplant with a high mortality rate reported after conventional therapies. Four patients with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders, of whom 3 were CD20 positive, received intravenous dosages of rituximab, 375 mg/m(2), weekly, for 6 ± 2 weeks. The overall response rate was 75% with 3 complete responses (CD20 positive) and 1 case of progressive disease (CD20 negative). Rituximab should be considered as a first-line therapy for patients with CD20 positive posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, Canada. mario.senechal@criucpq.ulaval.ca
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Senechal
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Demers
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Cantin
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Bourgault
authors: Marie-Helene
authors: MH
authors: Leblanc
authors: Joëlle
authors: J
authors: Morin
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Couture
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab