title: Can Rituximab Improve the Outcome of Patients with Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin's Lymphoma?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare subtype of Hodgkin's lymphoma showing strong CD20 expression. The role of rituximab in treating NLPHL still needs clarification.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 23 patients with NLPHL treated with rituximab alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy as part of their first- or second-line treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up of the whole group was 67 months, and all patients remained alive. Twenty-two patients achieved complete remission after rituximab-based therapy, and one of them relapsed 32 months after treatment. One patient treated with rituximab alone achieved partial remission and progressed 22 months after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prognosis of NLPHL is excellent. Rituximab combined with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy appears to prevent disease progression/relapse.
authors.affiliation: Internal Clinic of Hematology, University Hospital Krx00E1;lovskx00E9; Vinohrady, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mocikova
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pytlik
authors.forename: Pavla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stepankova
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michalka
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Markova
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koren
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buresova
authors.forename: Ludek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raida
authors.forename: Zdenek
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kral
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab