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Serum BLyS levels increase after rituximab as initial therapy in patients with follicular grade 1 non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Author(s) -
Ansell Stephen M.,
Novak Anne J.,
Ziesmer Steven,
PriceTroska Tammy,
LaPlant Betsy,
Dillon Stacey R.,
Witzig Thomas E.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.21328
Subject(s) - rituximab , follicular lymphoma , medicine , lymphoma , b cell activating factor , oncology , follicular phase , immunology , gastroenterology , antibody , b cell
Serum B‐lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) levels are elevated in a subset of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients, particularly those with a family history of B‐cell malignancies or a polymorphism in the BLyS gene. BLyS promotes growth of malignant B‐cells and increased serum BLyS levels are associated with a poor clinical outcome. In this study, BLyS levels were measured before and after 4 weekly doses of rituximab in 30 patients with previously untreated follicular Grade 1 NHL. A significant increase was seen in the serum levels of BLyS ( P = 0.0001) after rituximab therapy. The increase was independent of genetic variability in the BLyS gene. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.