title: Safety and efficacy of non-initial rapid infusion of rituximab plus chemotherapy in Chinese patients with CD20+ non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rapid rituximab infusion (RRI) plus chemotherapy in patients with CD20(+) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 177 patients received 4 - 6 cycles of rituximab-based chemotherapy. The first cycle was given with standard schedule. In the second and subsequent cycles, RRI was initiated. Rituximab was administered as 20% of the dose infused in the first 30 min and the remaining 80% was given over 60 min. Benadryl and dexamethasone were given before infusions. Vital signs were measured at baseline and during infusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first cycle, 48 patients experienced grade I - II infusion reactions and two patients showed grade III - IV infusion reactions. Six patients experienced infusion reactions during RRI. Two patients showed grade III infusion reactions to RRI and dropped out of the study. With a median follow up of 37.5 months, the 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates of the whole cohort were 93.1 and 81.1%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary observations suggested that RRI may be safe and feasible for patients with CD20(+) NHL.
authors.affiliation: Sun Yat-sen University, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Department of Medical Oncology , Guangzhou , PR China +86 20 8734 3349 ; +86 20 8734 3350 ; huanghq@sysucc.org.cn.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Qi-Chun
authors.initials: QC
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Xiao-Xiao
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qing-Qing
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Hui-Qiang
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: CD20+ lymphoma; infusion related reactions; rapid infusion; rituximab