Rituximab as monotherapy and in addition to reduced CHOP in children with primary immunodeficiency and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma

Children with primary immunodeficiency or chromosomal breakage syndromes are at increased risk of developing non‐Hodgkin lymphomas; they cannot tolerate standard chemotherapy regimens. We report two children with diffuse, large, B‐cell lymphoma; one had ataxia telangiectasia and one had common variable immunodeficiency. Both were given rituximab, 1 as monotherapy and 1 in combination with a reduced CHOP regimen. Complete remission was obtained in each patient. Use of rituximab as a first‐line monotherapy or in conjunction with reduced chemotherapy should be considered to reduce cytotoxic effects. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:664–666. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.