Primary central nervous system lymphoma treated with high-dose methotrexate and rituximab: A single-institution experience.
Rituximab (RTX) improves the outcome in patients with systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but its benefit in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is unclear. In the present study, a single-institution retrospective analysis was performed for 12 patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL treated with combined high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) and RTX. MTX was administered biweekly at 8 g/m2/dose until a complete response (CR) was achieved or for a maximum of eight doses. RTX was provided for a total of eight weekly doses at 375 mg/m2/dose. Following a median of 11 cycles of MTX, the radiographic overall response rate was 91% and the CR rate was 58%. A CR was achieved after a median 6 cycles of MTX. The median progression-free survival time was 22 months and the median overall survival time has not yet been attained. These results compare favorably to single-agent HD-MTX and suggest a role for immunochemotherapy in the treatment of PCNSL.
Department of Neurology, University of Washington Medical Centre, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
K Ina
KI
Ly
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington Medical Centre, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Laura L
LL
Crew
Department of Neurology, University of Washington Medical Centre, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Carrie A
CA
Graham
Department of Neurology, University of Washington Medical Centre, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington Medical Centre, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Maciej M
MM
Mrugala
high-dose methotrexate; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; primary central nervous system lymphoma; rituximab