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The addition of rituximab to anthracycline‐based chemotherapy significantly improves outcome in ‘Western’ patients with intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma
Author(s) -
Ferreri Andrés J. M.,
Dognini Giuseppina P.,
Bairey Osnat,
Szomor Arpad,
Montalbán Carlos,
Horvath Barbara,
Demeter Judit,
Uziel Lilj,
Soffietti Riccardo,
Seymour John F.,
Ambrosetti Achille,
Willemze Rein,
Martelli Maurizio,
Rossi Giuseppe,
Candoni Anna,
De Renzo Amalia,
Doglioni Claudio,
Zucca Emanuele,
Cavalli Franco,
Ponzoni Maurilio
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07338.x
Subject(s) - rituximab , medicine , lymphoma , chemotherapy , anthracycline , intravascular large b cell lymphoma , oncology , gastroenterology , cancer , breast cancer
Summary Some case reports and a Japanese series suggest benefit from the use of rituximab in patients with intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma (IVL). Rituximab efficacy was evaluated in Western patients with IVL, comparing outcome of 10 patients treated with rituximab + chemotherapy (R‐CT) and of 20 patients treated with chemotherapy alone (CT). There were no significant differences in patients’ characteristics between the two subgroups. The addition of rituximab was associated with improved complete remission rate (90% vs. 50%; P = 0·04), event‐free survival (3‐year: 89% vs. 35%; P = 0·003) and overall survival (3‐year: 89% vs. 38%; P = 0·01). In conclusion, rituximab may substantially change the dismal prognosis of IVL.