Rituximab (Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody) inLymphoproliferative Malignancies : Tata MemorialExperience

摘要

Rituximab has been used extensively in lymphoproliferative disorders. We evaluated the results of 64consecutive patients treated between 2001 and 2004 at our institution. This included 54 males and 10 females.The median age was 54years (range 17 to 85 years). One-fourth of patients were above 60 years. The histologywas aggressive NHL in 35, indolent NHL in 22 and 7 cases were diagnosed as CLL. Among NHL, sixteenwere in early stage (I/II) and the remaining forty-one were in advanced stage (III/IV) of disease. B symptomswere present in 47% of cases. A total of 33 were de novo cases and 31 were previously treated. Rituximabmonotherapy was used in 17 cases. Rituximab was used in combination with chemotherapy in the other 47cases. Infusional toxicity included anaphylaxis in one, hypotension in one and minor infusional reactions infour others. The patient who developed anaphylaxis required discontinuation of further Rituximab. Growthfactors were used in 25 patients. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 19 patients. The overall RR (CR + PR) was72%. One patient had stable disease and progressive disease was documented in 17 patients. A total of sevenpatients died, three due to progressive disease, three due to chemotherapy related toxicity and one due to anunrelated cause. We conclude that Rituximab is a valuable addition to the treatment armamentarium oflymphoproliferative disorders.