Lijecnicki vjesnik 2004;126(11-12)
RITUXIMAB IN THE TREATMENT OF INDOLENT NON-HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA
Igor Aurer, Zdravko Mitrović, Ivo Radman, JASMINKA KOVAČEVIĆ-METELKO, Damir Nemet, Ranka Serventi-Seiwerth, RANKA ŠTERN-PADOVAN, JASMINKA JAKIĆ-RAZUMOVIĆ, MARIN NOLA, Silva Zupančić-Šalek, Dubravka Sertić, Boris Labar
Abstract
Summary. Indolent Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) are a group of slowly progressive immune system malignancies that cannot be cured with conventional treatment. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has recently become a part of the standard treatment of B-cell lymphoid malignancies. Here we present our experience in 25 patients with indolent NHL treated with rituximab with or without chemotherapy. Rituximab was administered at 3–4 week intervals in the standard dose of 375 mg/m2. 88% of the patients responded, 16 achieved a complete and 6 partial remission. Estimated 2-year actuarial survival is 63%. Response and survival rates were significantly better in patients with favorable prognosis (lower IPI score). Adverse effects related to rituximab occurred in 2 patients and were mild. Our results are completely comparable to previously reported studies and show that rituximab is effective and safe for the treatment of indolent B-cell NHL.